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After scoring 17 Monday, Tyler Hansbrough followed up with 23 points and four rebounds Tuesday against Oklahoma City.
(Fernando Medina/NBAE/Getty Images)
Hibbert, Hansbrough spark victory

By David Benner | July 7, 2009
ORLANDO -- With two starters down, Roy Hibbert and rookie Tyler Hansbrough stepped up to lead the Indiana Pacers to a 91-88 victory over Oklahoma City in the Orlando Summer League Tuesday night.

Brandon Rush missed the game entirely with a sore left knee and Josh McRoberts – who was off to a 10-point, three-rebound start – went down with a sprained left ankle midway through the second quarter. Both are questionable for remaining games.

Their absence was felt for a short time but eventually Hibbert would lead the 2-0 Pacers to a 14-point lead in the third quarter. However, it got interesting on the scoreboard as the Thunder came back to lead and Hansbrough hit a free throw on an illegal defense call with 30.2 left to tie the game at 88.

Hansbrough then missed a short shot in the lane, but D.J. White was called for an offensive foul with 2.3 seconds left. Under summer league rules, players are allowed unlimited fouls, but anything past the sixth foul results in a penalty of two shots and the ball.

Hansbrough, who had nine of his 23 points in the fourth quarter, made both. Then Hibbert was fouled, he made a free throw and James Harden’s 3-pointer at the buzzer was off the front of the rim.

Hibbert had a strong game with 24 points, eight rebounds and just three fouls in 33-plus minutes. Trey Johnson added 13 for the Pacers and Leo Lyons gave the Pacers a big lift in the first half when he replaced McRoberts and scored seven points in five minutes.

“Aside from the win, I think the three fouls were the biggest thing for me on the night,” said Hibbert. “Coaches have told me over and over, it’s important for me to be on the floor as much as possible to help the team.”

“I think Roy did a nice job,” said Pacers Coach Jim O’Brien. “Without Brandon and Josh, both Roy and Tyler did a nice job offsetting their absence. I thought we played a tough game and did what we needed to do to win.”

Oklahoma City (1-1) was led by Russell Westbrook with 22 points. White had eight points, but eight fouls. Robert Vaden had eight points off the bench for the Thunder.

The Pacers play Wednesday at 3 p.m. against Utah.






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