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Reno Bighorns vs. Oklahoma City Blue, November 19, 2016
Saturday, November 19, 2016 Kyle Jones: kjones@renobighorns.com
BIGHORNS FALL TO OKLAHOMA AT HOME
RENO, NV —- The Reno Bighorns fell to the Oklahoma City Blue 106-97 Thursday night at the Reno Events Center.
Malachi Richardson, who is on assignment from the Sacramento Kings, led the Bighorns with 28 points and three rebounds while Kings affiliate player, Lamar Patterson had 20 points, six rebounds and seven assists in the Saturday night contest. Affiliate player, Isaiah Cousins,, tallied 11 points, five rebounds and five assists.
Dakari Johnson led the Blue scoring 24 points, 10 rebounds and three assists while Reggie Williams notched 21 points, four rebounds and two assists.
The first quarter was tightly contested that saw four ties. The two teams matched each other point for point until the Bighorns pulled away after back-to-back triples from Cousins making it a 14-7 game at the 7:30 mark. The Bighorns controlled their lead until the Blue went on a 7-2 run to tie the game at 25 to end the first frame.
In the opening minutes of the second, Blue’s Myke Henry hit a three. The Bighorns would respond with an 11-4 run midway through the quarter behind two threes from Richardson making it a 40-37 Bighorns lead at the 4:30 mark. The two teams would exchange buckets matching points. The frame saw five lead changes and three ties. The Blue won the second 25-24, making it a 50-49 game at the half.
Richardson would go 3-3 from behind the arc in the first half.
Richardson would make a jumper to open the third quarter before the Blue would go on a 6-2 run to take a 58-51 lead over the Bighorns. The Blue would outscore the Bighorns 19-24 in the frame.
The Bighorns would go on a 6-0 run early in the fourth cutting the deficit to three. Blue’s Jannero Pargo would sink back-to-back threes making it a 84-75 game with 7:27 left in play. Cousins drained a three with an assist from Patterson mid-way through the quarter to close the deficit to seven. Patterson’s triple with .15 left in play wouldn’t be enough to pull the Bighorns past the Blue. The Blue would not surrender the lead, defeating the Bighorns 106-97.
Patterson scored 17 of his 20 points in the second half.
The Bighorns will host the Texas Legends on Tuesday, Nov. 22 at 7 p.m. Tickets for the game will begin at $12. Fans can visit renobighorns.com to purchase tickets or call the Bighorns front office at 775-853-8220.
–bighorns—
About the Reno Bighorns:
The Reno Bighorns are a member of the NBA Development League, the official minor league of the NBA. The Bighorns are affiliated with the Sacramento Kings. Season tickets for the 2016-17 season are on sale now! For more information, call the Bighorns front office at 775-853-8220 or visit RenoBighorns.com. Follow us on Twitter @renobighorns and “like” the Bighorns on Facebook at facebook.com/bighornshoops. The NBA Development League is the NBA’s official minor league, preparing players, coaches, officials, trainers, and front-office staff for the NBA while acting as the league’s research and development laboratory. Featuring 22 teams with direct affiliations with NBA franchises for the 2016-17 season, the league offers elite professional basketball at an affordable price in a fun, family-friendly atmosphere. An all-time high 38 percent of all NBA players at the end of the 2015-16 season boasted NBA D-League experience. In fostering the league’s connection to the community, its teams, players and staff promote health and wellness, support local needs and interests, and assist in educational development through NBA D-League Cares programs. Fans can watch all NBA D-League games on nbadleague.com.