Tulsa Overcomes 22-Point Deficit, Tops Delaware
February 8, 2014 - NBA G League (G League)
Tulsa 66ers News Release
TULSA, Okla. - The Tulsa 66ers overcame a 22-point deficit to come back and defeat the Delaware 87ers, 102-95, on Saturday night as Grant Jerrett and Andre Roberson combined for 44 points and 26 rebounds.
Jerrett scored 23 points, 16 of which came in the second half, and pulled down 14 rebounds while Roberson tallied 21 points, 12 rebounds, two assists and two steals. In his three games (all starts) on assignment from the Oklahoma City Thunder this week, Roberson averaged 20.0 points, 11.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 2.0 steals in 29.7 minutes. The Thunder rookie recorded double-doubles in all three contests and shot 58.3 percent from the field.
Mustafa Shakur collected 19 points, 12 assists, six rebounds and four steals. Maurice Sutton added 12 points on 6-for-7 shooting and three rebounds off the bench.
"I just asked our guys to come back and compete the way I knew that they could," said 66ers Head Coach Darko Rajakovic. "I'm really proud of their work tonight. All of the guys that stepped on the floor tonight chipped in and helped."
Delaware (8-25) used an 18-5 run in the opening quarter to jump out to a 29-18 lead after one. The Sevens built their lead up to 22 with just over four minutes remaining in the first half, leading 51-29. Tulsa (12-19) outscored Delaware 16-3 in the final four minutes of the second quarter to pull within nine at the break.
The 87ers went on an 8-2 run early in the second half to take a 69-54 lead with 7:21 on the clock. The Tulsa defense held Delaware to one field goal on 13 shot attempts the remainder of the quarter, outscoring the 87ers 17-7 to pull within five heading into the final quarter.
"Defense was our primary objective going into the second half," said Rajakovic. "We needed those stops to give us opportunities to run and score in transition. The guys logged in, worked together and helped each other. Our defense wasn't perfect but we fought through mistakes. I thought our guys did a great job."
The 66ers run continued in the fourth quarter as Tulsa scored the frame's first five points to tie the game at 76. The 66ers took their first lead of the half with 8:30 remaining on a Jerrett layup to go ahead 82-80. Tulsa outscored Delaware 31-19 in the fourth quarter to outlast the 87ers for the second time in two nights.
The 66ers forced 20 turnovers, including seven in the fourth quarter, while dishing out 25 assists.
Delaware was led by Tiny Gallon with 26 points and 12 rebounds.
The 66ers head to Des Moines for a Tuesday night matchup against the Iowa Energy in their final game before the All-Star break. The 7 p.m. contest will be aired live on YouTube.
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