Bulls Outlast SuperSonics, 110-105, in Fieldhouse Reunion
Oct. 15, 2006
LAWRENCE, Kan. –
Click Here for a Box Score from the game
In their triumphant return to Allen Fieldhouse, former Jayhawk stars Kirk Hinrich and Nick Collison battled as opponents in an NBA exhibition game between the Chicago Bulls and the Seattle SuperSonics. It took overtime, but Hinrich’s Bulls prevailed over Collison’s SuperSonics, 110-105, in front of 12,758 at Allen Fieldhouse Sunday afternoon.
Both players received rousing applause from the crowd during introductions and appeared quite comfortable in the friendly confines of the Phog. In the winning effort, Hinrich scored 11 points on five-of-nine shooting while dishing out four assists. Collison poured in 12 points and grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds in 27 minutes of action.
Seattle had six players score in double figures, led by sharpshooter Ray Allen who scored a game-high 22 points on seven-of-11 shooting, including two 3-pointers. Forward Rashard Lewis chipped in 13 points, guards Damien Wilkins and Earl Watson each added 12 and forward Chris Wilcox scored 11.
For the Bulls, rookie Tyrus Thomas and Viktor Khryapa had a team-high 13 points. Thomas added eight rebounds and two blocks. Former Connecticut star Ben Gordon added 12 points and four assists during the contest while rookie Thabo Sefolosha added 10 points and five assists.
Collison and Hinrich each picked up their respective team’s first fouls much to the consternation of the large crowd, who was decisively for the Bulls, though Collison and Hinrich’s plays elicited the largest crowd responses.
Ben Wallace, the Bulls’ big-time offseason acquisition, threw down a monstrous dunk midway through the first quarter that drew the crowd off their feet. Collison looked right at home early on, hitting his first two shots, including a driving lay-up. Hinrich also look comfortable, knocking down several early shots, including a three-pointer in the first quarter. The Sonics led, 28-26, at the end of the first quarter.
Collison later connected with Mickael Gelabale on a devastating alley-oop dunk that drew the delight of the Fieldhouse faithful in the second quarter. Hinrich replied with a slashing finger roll that lengthened the Bulls’ lead in the quarter.
The Bulls took a 54-50 lead into halftime. Hinrich led the Chicago scorers, pouring in nine points on four-of-seven shooting. Collison tallied nine points and eight rebounds at intermission, while sharp-shooting Allen led all scorers with 12 points.
Thomas hit a baseline jumper with five seconds left in the fourth quarter to send the game into the extra period. Once there, Chicago guard Andre Barrett nailed two key jumpers to help the Bulls pull away from the SuperSonics.
The game also marked the return of Seattle coach Bob Hill, who served as an assistant for the Jayhawks from 1979-85. Seattle opens the regular season Nov. 1 when it hosts the Portland Trailblazers. The Bulls start the 2006-07 season against the defending NBA Champion Miami Heat on Oct. 31 on TNT.
Kansas basketball tips off when the men host Washburn on Nov. 2 and the women’s squad hosts Fort Hays State on Nov. 1. Both games will be exhibition contests for the Jayhawks and will tip-off at 7 p.m.
