66ers fall to Skyforce 106-99, series tied 1-1

SIOUX FALLS, SD – One night after winning their first playoff game, the Tulsa 66ers were defeated 106-99 by the Sioux Falls Skyforce.

The 66ers were without the services of DJ White who was called back by the Oklahoma City Thunder. White scored 21 points, pulled down five rebounds and tallied four assists in game one of the series on Thursday.

A 20-8 fourth quarter run pulled Tulsa to within four points, but Sioux Falls made four of five free throws in the final minutes to close the door.

Oklahoma City Thunder assignees  Kyle Weaver, Mustafa Shakur and Byron Mullens each scored in double digits for the second straight game. Weaver scored 20, while Shakur contributed 18 and Mullens added a double-double of 13 points and 12 rebounds. On the night the 66ers out rebounded the Skyforce 52-39.

The Skyforce were led by Greg Stiemsma’s 24 points, 10 rebounds and eight blocks. Leemire Goldwire scored 23 points off of the bench.

The loss ties the best-of-three series at one game each with a deciding game three scheduled for 6 p.m. on Sunday in Sioux Falls.

Scoring         1     2      3     4     –  F
Tulsa             22   18    31   28       99
Sioux Falls    26   27    24   29       106

Sioux Falls- G. Stiemsma 24, L. Goldwire 23, D. Bailey 19, J. Krabbenhoft 7, J. Newson 7, C. McCray 6, R. Sykes 4, N. Jawai 4.
Tulsa- D. Washington 21, K. Weaver 20, M. Shakur 18, B. Mullens 13, L. Owens 12, W. Adams 9, M. Lewis 4, D. Hardin 2.