Delaware Does It Again with Overtime Needed to Beat Skyforce
In an overtime battle at the Sanford Pentagon Saturday night, Delaware found a way to squeeze through for 129-125 victory over the Sioux Falls Skyforce.
Both teams could lay claim to a comeback win as the margin of error proved slight as the two teams met for a second straight night. First Sioux Falls (18-15) had to overcome a deficit of nine with 9:36 left. Then the 87ers (15-19) needed a 3 pointer by Jared Cunningham with 3.4 seconds left to force the extra session.
Neither team was able to shake the other as the two teams volleyed the lead back and forth 21 times with 17 ties for added measure. Delaware did just enough to will themselves to a win and sweep the weekend series.
For the second straight game Scotty Hopson lit up the scoreboard with 34 points on 13 of 17 shooting and 10 rebounds to lead the home team. However, the former Tennessee Volunteer says the focus should be preventing buckets. “When we lock in as a unit defensively, we’re really tough to beat because we score with the best of them. Coach Weber is doing an awesome job implementing a great system for us where guys have freedom offensively.”
What hurts the most for Hopson was his view of the shot at the end of regulation. “I was the one that closed out on Jared Cunningham on that three. They made a ton of threes in the second half and we’ve got to communicate and get guys off the line. We’re going to watch tape and do better the next time out.” Whichever look you like with Cunningham or Hopson you can see them below.
After struggling in the first half from long range (4-19), Delaware was cooking (12-23) after intermission with Cunningham’s heartbreaker just being the one that prevented Sioux Falls from gaining the split. Cunningham and D.J. Seeley each had 27 points while Victor Rudd was the all-around man gaining a triple-double of 15 points, 10 assists and 17 rebounds with that last assist coming on the dagger from Cunningham.
Byron Mullens continues to impress in just his second game sporting the Skyforce colors with 19 points. Meanwhile Bubu Palo nearly went triple-double himself with 17 points, 10 assists and 7 rebounds. Shawn Jones tallied 15 points and 10 boards with Larry Drew II dealing 13 assists with 11 counters.
Delaware earns the season split and returns home to face the Canton Charge on Tuesday. Sioux Falls is back at the Sanford Pentagon Tuesday to battle the Reno Bighorns.
VIDEO: Jared Cunningham is cold-blooded for the tie.
VIDEO: Scotty Hopson inside and outside for points, assists.
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