Hawkins Homecoming Beats Clippers
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PEORIA, Ill. — Hersey Hawkins returned to the scene of his college stardom and scored 28 points Saturday to lead the Philadelphia 76ers to a 125-110 NBA exhibition victory over the Clippers.
Charles Barkley added 23 points and a game-high 12 rebounds in Philadelphia’s exhibition opener.
Hawkins, who led nation in scoring during his senior year at Bradley, sparked a second-half comeback by the 76ers, who trailed by as many as 25 points on two occasions in the first half.
The Clippers led, 58-33, and by 60-35 in the second quarter before settling for a 70-53 halftime lead.
But the Clippers (1-1) lost the lead for good with 10:39 left in the final quarter on a fast-break layup by Tharon Mayes, giving Philadelphia a 92-91 lead. The 76ers’ 15-point margin at the end was their largest of the game.
Loy Vaught led the Clippers with 18 points and eight rebounds. Tony Brown added 14 points, and Danny Manning and Ron Harper each had 13.
For the 76ers, Armon Gilliam scored 22 points and Mayes had 21.
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