The Greensboro Swarm, the NBA G League affiliate of the Charlotte Hornets, rallied from a 24-point deficit to stun the Delaware Blue Coats, 121-115, on Saturday at the Fieldhouse at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex. Four Swarm (6-8) players scored 20-plus points, led by Jaylen Barford’s game-high of 25.
Delaware (5-8) had its largest lead of the game, 91-67, with 4:42 left in the third quarter. However, the Swarm closed the quarter on a 19-8 to cut the deficit to 13 points. Greensboro opened the fourth quarter on a 11-2 run to pull within four, 101-97. The Swarm tied the game (111-111) on a Chinanu Onuaku free throw with 3:50 left in the game. Both sides traded baskets but it was the Swarm making good on its last two possessions to complete the comeback, a Onuaku dunk and a Dwayne Bacon jumper.
The Swarm was powered by Onuaku’s 10th double-double (22 points, 16 rebounds); Bacon’s 22 points and nine rebounds; and Joe Chealey’s 20 points and six assists. Onuaku was also a menace around the rim, coming up with four blocks. Bacon flirted with a double-double of his own, pulling down nine rebounds in his 33 minutes of action.
Delaware was led by Shake Milton’s team-high 22 points, four assists and three rebounds. Haywood Highsmith added 20 points and eight rebounds. Matt Farrell (11 points, six assists) and Ryan Anderson (10 points, five rebounds) had strong efforts off the bench.
The Swarm shot 49 percent to the Blue Coats’ 41 percent. Delaware attempted 52 three-pointers in the game, connecting on 16 of them. Greensboro was 9-for-25 from long range.
Greensboro is back in action on Wednesday, December 12, at 11 a.m. in the organization’s first ‘School Day Game’ with Guilford County Schools at the Fieldhouse.