66ers flashy in win over Utah.
TULSA, OK--The Tulsa 66ers looked a lot more poised and under control as they beat the Utah Flash 98-87 in the second of a two game set Saturday night at the Tulsa Convention Center. Leading the score sheet for the Sixers was Mustafa Shakur, who had had 23 points, including 11-of-16 from the free throw line. In general the Tulsa squad looked better in all facets of the game, ball control and passing, rebounding, defense and shooting.
“We competed for 48 minutes” 66ers Head coach Nate Tibbetts said, “And we did a lot better job of doing the little things that make the difference for us.”
In addition to Shakur’s effortst five players were in double figures for the 66ers Saturday evening. Moses Ehambe and Cecil Brown scored 17 point each, and OKC Thunder player assignee Byron Mullens posted his second straight double-double of the season with a 15 point, 17 rebound game.
“We did a really great job of talking on defense tonight,” Shakur said. “We knew that it wouldn’t be easy since they are a good team, but we made some plays down the stretch.”
Tulsa led throughout the game, at one point extending their lead to 29-19 in the first quarter before having the half end with the 66ers ahead only by two 44-42. Both teams battled down stretch in the 2nd half, coming to a 75-all tie with seven minutes remaining in the 4th quarter. Aided by 3 critical turnovers by Utah, Tulsa went on a 23-12 run to take and hold the lead with less than a minute remaining.
The Flash had four players in double figures at the end of the game. Gavin Grant had 17 points, and Carlos Wheeler had 15 points and 12 rebounds.
The Sixers now head to Austin for a two game set with the Toros on December 1 and 2, then on to Rio Grande Valley for a home and home set with the Vipers on December 4th and 5th. Tickets for that game and all 66ers home games are available at tulsa66ers.com and the Tulsa Convention Center box office.
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Photos: Kevin Pyle
Attendance: 3508
Duration: 2:20.25