TULSA, Okla. – A struggling basketball team can’t expect to end a losing streak without momentum, a bit of luck and, of course, points.

Maine had no momentum, no luck and not enough points Saturday night against Tulsa, and its losing streak stretched to six games after a 108-83 drubbing by the 66ers at the Tulsa Convention Center.

Everything fell apart in the first quarter.

The Red Claws (4-12) got their first basket on a jumper by Dominic Calegari 2:05 into the period. Then came a string of seven missed baskets and four turnovers over the next 51/2 minutes and Maine was down 15-2.

Maine finished the first quarter trailing 28-11 on 3-of-16 shooting and 4 of 4 foul shots.

Maine missed its first three shots of the second quarter while Tulsa (9-6) got four points during the span for a 32-11 lead.

Although the Red Claws increased their field-goal percentage from 18 percent to 33 percent in the second quarter, the stretches of missed field goals and turnovers continued, and Tulsa’s lead expanded to 61-35 at halftime.

The lead ballooned to 32 on two free throws by Marcus Lewis with 7:20 left in the third quarter. Maine finally passed 50 points on a 3-pointer by Jerome Randle with 4:49 remaining in the third, and got no closer than 22 the rest of the way.

Despite the lopsided score, Maine had 40 rebounds, one fewer than Tulsa, and made 21 of 26 free throws. Randle led the Red Claws with 16 points.

Maine will play at the Texas Legends today before traveling to Reno, Nev., for the D-League Showcase on Tuesday and Wednesday.

 

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