by NEWARK, New Jersey – The Westchester Knicks (9-22), the official NBA Development League of the New York Knickerbockers, fell to the Delaware 87ers (13-19), the Philadelphia 76ers’ affiliate, in agonizing fashion. At one point down by 18 points, the 87ers rallied to defeat the Knicks 110-105.
The first half was full of back and forth action, the first quarter seeing six lead changes and six ties. Neither team led by more than five points until five minutes were left on the clock in the second quarter. Westchester stretched the lead by as much as fourteen points at the end of the second, ending the half up on Delaware 62-52.
Knicks forward Thanasis Antetokounmpo, coming off a monster All-Star Weekend which included appearances in both the NBA and NBA D-League Dunk Contests, kept that momentum going with a record 17 points in the first quarter alone. He ended the first half with a total of 24 points, hitting 8-of-12 shots. Delaware displayed a true team effort with the starting five all contributing between eight and eleven points apiece.
Delaware went on an 8-0 run in the third quarter in an attempt to catch up to Westchester, but the Knicks held on to the lead by 10 points, leading 91-81 at the end of the third. At one point up 18 points over the 87ers, the Knicks found themselves losing the lead early in the fourth. Going on a 22-5 run, Delaware came within just one point of Westchester.
Refusing to give up, the 87ers took the lead 101-100 from Knicks which sparked a round of back and forth lead changes with just minutes to go. Westchester found themselves trailing by five with 17 seconds on the clock. Unable to get anything going, a Knicks foul gave the 87ers two more points on the board. Westchester was not able to recover, falling to Delaware 110-105
Thanasis Antetokounmpo broke his own previous high scoring record of 30, ending the night with 36 points, also adding 10 rebounds for the double-double. It was one of three double-doubles from Westchester; Darnell Jackson posting 20 points and 11 rebounds, Ben Strong (Red Lake Tribe) recording 13 points and 11 rebounds, also contributing five assists. Orlando Sanchez ended with 12 points, six rebounds.
Delaware had seven players in double digit scoring, led by center Drew Gordon with 21 points and 14 rebounds for the double-double. Victor Rudd followed with 17 points, Jared Cunningham and Maalik Wayns both with 16. Kenny Hall came off the bench to contribute 11 rebounds, also providing seven points.
The Westchester Knicks travel to face the Erie BayHawks, the NBA D-League affiliate of the Orlando Magic, tomorrow,Wednesday, Feb. 18, at 7:00 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on MSG+.
