BLUE FALLS IN DOUBLE-OVERTIME AT SANTA CRUZ

SANTA CRUZ, Calif., Jan. 7, 2022 – The Oklahoma City Blue (0-2) narrowly fell to the Santa Cruz Warriors (2-0), 127-123, in double overtime on Friday evening.

In the second overtime period, Melvin Frazier Jr. gave the Blue a two-point lead on a putback dunk with 55 seconds left in the game but the Warriors offense got to the foul line three times in the final three attempts to clinch the win.

The Blue and Warriors exchanged baskets over the final three minutes of regulation that featured four ties, when Rob Edwards sank two free throws with 28 seconds remaining before the Warriors made a clutch shot that sent the game into overtime with the score tied at 116-all.

Oklahoma City battled back from a 13-point deficit with a fourth quarter run, capped by a Scotty Hopson three-pointer. The Blue outscored the Warriors 29-22 in the fourth and shot 48 percent from the field but couldn’t continue the momentum into overtime.

Two Blue players posted double-double performances with Georgios Kalaitzakis’ team-high 24 points and 10 rebounds off the bench, while Zavier Simpson finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds. Rob Edwards finished with 21 points and Jaylen Hoard added 19 points along with six boards and five assists.

Santa Cruz was led by Quinndary Weatherspoon who scored 32 points on 13-24 shooting and Moses Moody added 31 points.

The Blue returns to action Sunday, Jan. 9 at 4 p.m. CT against the Stockton Kings.