66ers split season-opening series

The NBA D-League season is officially underway, and the Tulsa 66ers are now 1-1 on the young season after splitting a pair of games on the road against the Bakersfield Jam over the weekend. 

The Jam claimed a 104-101 win over the 66ers on Friday, despite Tulsa having six players score in double-digit figures.  Marcus Lewis led Tulsa with 23 points while Robert Vaden, Zabian Dowdell and Tweety Carter each added 16. Larry Owens recorded a double-double with 16 points and 13 rebounds and Elijah Millsap rounded out the double-digit scoring with 14 points.

The game was tied 99-99 with just over a minute remaining before Bakersfield reeled off four unanswered points to take a 103-99 lead. Carter sank a pair of free-throws with 12 seconds remaining to pull Tulsa back within two points. Down three points with 2.8 seconds left, Vaden missed on a three-point attempt and Bakersfield escaped with the win.

The 66ers turned the tables on Saturday, as they jumped on top early and never looked back, en route to a 108-93 win. Five 66ers scored in double-digits as defensively Tulsa forced 19 Bakersfield turnovers. Dowdell led Tulsa with 21 points and eight assists while the 66ers connected on eight-of-18 attempts from behind the arc.

Lewis was the second 66er in as many games to record a double-double as he netted 14 points and 11 rebounds. Millsap and Carter each had 18 points while Owens added 17. 

Tulsa's defense held Bakersfield to a .333 field goal percentage as the 66ers took a 49-41 lead into the half-time locker room. 

The Jam pulled within three points with 8:33 remaining in the third quarter before the 66ers went on an 11-2 run mid-way through the quarter to widen the gap. Bakersfield got back within 11 points twice in the fourth quarter, Tulsa's defense proved to be too stout for the Jam to overcome.

The 66ers open the home portion of their 2010-11 season this Friday when they tip-off at the Tulsa Convention Center at 7 p.m. against the Iowa Energy (2-0). The two teams will play again at the same time on Saturday night. Fans can take advantage of an opening weekend package including a lower level ticket, hot dog and soda for $10 by calling the 66ers office at 918-585-8444. Tickets are also available on-line at tickets.com.