clarinews@clarinet.com (01/18/90)
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (UPI) -- Sam Bowie scored 22 points and collected 14 rebounds Wednesday night to lead the New Jersey Nets to a 115-106 victory over the Washington Bullets. Mookie Blaylock and Dennis Hopson each scored 18 points for the Nets, who snapped a two-game losing streak and extended Washington's losing spell to three straight. The Nets blew a 16-point lead but rebounded in the fourth quarter as Hopson, who returned this week from a sparined ankle, and Bowie keyed the comeback. The Bullets led 90-88, but New Jersey scored 12 of the next 14 points to go ahead 100-92 with 8:42 to play. Hopson scored five points, including a three-point goal, and Bowie contributed four. Washington pulled within 107-104 with 1:42 to go on a basket by Bernard King, who scored 10 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter. New Jersey scored eight of the game's last 10 points, as Bowie scored six and assisted on a basket. Bowie had 11 points and four blocked shots in the fourth quarter. The Nets led 33-22 after one quarter, but Washigton closed the gap to 35-26. Hopson scored all of the Nets' points in an 11-4 run to give New Jersey its biggest lead at 46-30. Harvey Grant brought Washington back with five points during a 7-0 run and the Bullets outscored the Nets 9-1 to close the half trailing 57-55. Washington opened an 80-75 lead by outscoring the Nets 7-1 midway through the third period. Ledell Eackles led the Bullets with 21 points and Jeff Malone added 20.