G League Sioux Falls Skyforce

Skyforce Nearly Stuns 66ers with Huge Comeback

Published on February 18, 2012 under NBA G League (G League)
Sioux Falls Skyforce News Release


Sioux Falls, S.D. - The Tulsa 66ers defeated the Sioux Falls Skyforce 119-114 in overtime Friday night at the Sioux Falls Arena. Trailing by as many as 29 points, Sioux Falls outscored Tulsa 40-19 in the final quarter to force the extra three minutes before going cold, allowing Tulsa to hang on for the victory.

Tulsa (16-18) stormed out of the gates early and led 37-22 after the first quarter. Tulsa took advantage of Sioux Falls' (8-24) poor perimeter defense early to knock down 7-of-10 3-pointers in the first. The scoring pace slowed down in the second but Tulsa continued to build their lead and led 60-36 at the break.

Trey Gilder scored 14 of his 30 points in the third quarter to help Sioux Falls keep pace with Tulsa in the third. However, Tulsa continued to coast with a 20-point cushion for much of the third and led 93-72 entering the final quarter.

In the final quarter Sioux Falls began its full-court press on Tulsa and slowly chipped away at what was once a 29-point deficit. Committing eight turnovers in the fourth, Tulsa allowed Sioux Falls to go on a 22-4 run and cut the lead to 110-106 with 1:29 remaining. Trey Gilder knocked in a pair of free throws to cut the lead to 110-108. After getting another stop on defense, Marqus Blakely was fouled on an attempt to tie and went to the free throw line.

After barely missing the first free throw, Blakely converted the second and Sioux Falls trailed 110-109. Electing not to foul and play defense, Sioux Falls gave up an offensive rebound and lay-up to Marcus Lewis and trailed 112-109 with 9.4 seconds left. Out of a timeout, Nick Covington missed a 3-pointer and Blakely chased down the long rebound in the corner. With time about to expire, Blakely threw up a fadeaway 3-pointer and connected to send the game to overtime.

Both teams were clearly winded in overtime combining to miss the first six shots. Tulsa was able get the first points of the overtime and outscored Sioux Falls 7-2 to hang on for the 119-114 victory.

Marcus Lewis had a big game for Tulsa with 22 points, 16 rebounds and six assists. Delroy James came off the bench and contributed in a big way with 24 points and seven rebounds.

Gilder, who was a perfect 16-of-16 from the charity stripe, posted a team-high 30 points and also grabbed a season-high 16 rebounds. Blakely recorded his first double-double in a Skyforce uniform also 25 points and 10 rebounds.

Both teams are off tomorrow and will face off again at the Sioux Falls Arena on Sunday at 3 p.m. CT.

Check out the Sioux Falls Skyforce Statistics

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NBA G League Stories from February 18, 2012


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