Hilliard and White help Spurs bounce back versus Blue

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OKLAHOMA CITY – Despite a struggling offense, the Austin Spurs managed to rediscover their defensive intensity on Friday night as they beat the Oklahoma City Blue, 100-91.

AUSTIN LEADERS

Darrun Hilliard scored a team-high 22 points to go along with nine rebounds, three assists and three steals.

Derrick White, on assignment from San Antonio, carried out a similar stat line with 21 points, nine rebounds and four assists.

Livio Jean-Charles returned to the bench, but still logged 14 points and six rebounds. And finally, the trio of Jaron Blossomgame, Olivier Hanlan and Jeff Ledbetter all finished with 10 points each.

OKLAHOMA CITY LEADERS

Dakari Johnson was wildly dominant for the Blue as the 22-year-old finished with 27 points and nine rebounds in 34 minutes.

His frontcourt teammate Justin Leon added 18 points and nine rebounds for Oklahoma City.

Daniel Hamilton who is on a two-way contract with the Thunder had an impressive double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds while also adding in three assists. And Bryce Alford rounded out the bench scoring for the Blue with 15 points, five rebounds and three assists.

GAME FLOW

Oklahoma City started off the first quarter shooting 50 percent from beyond the arc, but also committed five deadly turnovers in the early going, letting Austin secure a 27-24 lead.

The Spurs extended their lead out to 12 points in the second quarter behind Jeff Ledbetter and Jaron Blossomgame’s offense. But just like Wednesday night, defensive woes killed Austin as the Blue ended the first half on a 10-2 run to take a 49-47 halftime lead.

Disaster struck for the Blue in the third quarter with Oklahoma City shooting just 22 percent in the quarter. Austin managed to capitalize on the Blue’s poor shooting as Derrick White caught fire from the field to regain the lead for the silver and black.

Dakari Johnson scored 13 of Oklahoma City’s 24 points in the fourth quarter, but White kept Austin afloat to seal the nine point win.

UP NEXT

Austin Spurs (25-15) vs. Northern Arizona Suns (19-19)
Sunday, February 24th – 4:00 p.m. CST | Prescott Valley, AZ
Prescott Valley Event Center | Facebook Live

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