College Article Feature: Stars sweep Blue behind strong backcourt play

Written by Zachary Halliday | Brigham Young University

The Salt Lake City Stars defeated the Oklahoma City Blue 123-106 on Friday at the Maverik Center, improving to 2-0 against the Blue this season and 11-13 overall.

The victory featured a complete offensive performance, as five Stars players scored in double-figures and the team shot efficiently, hitting 51% from the field and an impressive 46% from beyond the arc.
Stars guard Max Abmas led all scorers with 28 points, shooting 8 of 11 from the field and knocking down five three pointers. Over the two games against the Blue, Abmas totaled 61 points and drilled 12 3s, shooting over 66% overall and 63% from deep. “I hit a few (shots) and saw them go through, and I feel like I can hit them from
anywhere, so I let it fly,” Abmas said. “I just do whatever I can to help us win. That’s the main thing for me.”

Sean East II scored 26 points and added eight assists, while Justin Harmon finished with 23 points. Guard Matthew Cleveland contributed 15 points and seven rebounds, and center Mo Bamba posted a double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds after missing the first matchup against the Blue. Oklahoma City started fast after winning the opening tip, jumping to a 9-0 lead, but the Blue quickly cooled as the Stars found their rhythm. An off-hand layup by Harmon sparked Salt Lake City’s scoring, and multiple forced turnovers helped the Stars take a
16-15 lead with 5:17 left in the first quarter.

“Nobody lost their heads, and they just played until the next play,” Stars coach Rick Higgins said. “We figured out our way to dig ourselves out of it.” The final minutes of the quarter featured several lead changes and a flurry of 3-point shots from both teams. Newly returned guard Elijah Cain buried a corner 3 to end the
period, giving the Stars a 28-26 lead.

The back-and-forth narrative continued in the second quarter as both teams traded baskets. East took advantage of open looks and scored 14 points in the quarter, including multiple 3s. After a 7-0 run and 22 points in the final six minutes of the half, Salt Lake City entered the locker room with an eight-point lead and clear momentum.

After halftime, the Blue cut the deficit to five with a layup and a 3-pointer on consecutive possessions, but the Stars responded with timely scoring and offensive rebounds. Abmas scored 12 points in the third quarter, including multiple 3s and an and-one. Oklahoma City missed several free throws, leading to an 8-0 Stars run. Salt Lake City closed the quarter ahead 93-81.

Cleveland landed awkwardly on his left ankle in the fourth quarter and was helped to the locker room after taking contact on a layup attempt. He did not return and will be further evaluated.

“No matter how significant or insignificant his injury is, it’s going to hurt us, period,” Higgins said. “He’s been really good lately.”

Despite the injury, the Stars never looked back. Salt Lake City led by as much as 22 and capped the night with an emphatic alley-oop from East to Bamba, energizing the crowd and sealing the 123-106 win.

Defensively, the Stars finished with seven steals, seven blocks and forced 16 turnovers. Their success in the paint, where they scored 50 points, and ball movement contributed to the team’s well-rounded performance.

With the win, Salt Lake City improved to 11-13, while Oklahoma City fell to 7-16. The Stars will face the Mexico City Capitanes on Sunday afternoon at Arena CDMX.