66ers blinded by Flash 100-85.

TULSA, OK--The Tulsa 66ers tipped off their 4th NBA D-League season Friday night hosting the Utah Flash in the newly renovated Tulsa Convention Center arena, in front of an announced crowd of 4,159.  The 66ers sported new uniforms, new digs and a new attitude as they looked to improve upon last seasons 5th place finish in the southwest division of the NBA D-League.

Despite a 15 point, 4 rebound effort from ORU product Moses Ehambe and the solid defensive efforts of OU product Keith Clark, the visiting Utah Flash proved too much for the Tulsa squad as they were plagued by several errors and first-night miscues.  Tulsa battled back to tie the game five minutes into the 3rd quarter but then the Flash took control and never really looked back. As sloppy as the game was for Tulsa, 66ers coach Nate Tibbetts liked what he saw for the most part.  “We’ve got a lot of new guys, but the main thing is we picked up our efforts and battled back in the second half.” Coach Tibbetts said,  “They were the aggressor tonight.”  By the numbers the 66ers finished the game with six players in double figures, including recent OKC Thunder assignee Byron Mullens, who had 14 points and 10 boards.  Notable off the bench was Cecil Brown who brought 10 points of his own to the game.  

Utah’s big point man was Dontell Jefferson who posted a game-high 18 points while Carlos Wheeler had the games only double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.  Orien Greene also contributed to the Flash’s dpminant play with 17 points.  The Flash shot an even 48% from the floor (38-71) while Tulsa went 39.5% from the field (32-81).    

Coach Nate Tibbetts and his young team will face the Utah Flash again Saturday night, and the 66ers are featuring $1 dollar hot dogs and free posters of the Oklahoma City Thunder to the first 1500 fans.  Tickets are available to tulsa66ers.com and the Tulsa Convention Center box office.

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Photos: Kevin Pyle

Attendance: 4159
Duration: 2:04.46