Flash Struggle To Slow Bighorns
January 20, 2010 - NBA G League (G League)
Utah Flash News Release
OREM, UT, Jan. 20, 2010 - The Utah Flash took the floor Wednesday night to face the visiting Reno Bighorns. Reno came into tonight's game riding a season high four game winning streak, and lengthened it to five. The Flash battled all night to keep it close, but in the end, hot shooting Desmond Farmer and the Bighorns pulled away to hand Utah their second straight home-court loss 101-93.
Both teams got out to a quick start on the offensive end. Reno and Utah both shot the ball over 50% in the first quarter. The Bighorns closed the quarter with a slim one point advantage 25-24.
Reno cooled down in quarter number two shooting only 40% from the field. The Flash on the other hand continued to execute their offense in the half court set, enabling them to get good looks at the basket and to continue shooting a high percentage at 48.5%
Reno held the hot shooting of Utah in check by out rebounding them on the offensive end, 15-7. Reno had six players with three or more boards in the first half.
The Bighorns were led in the first half by leading scorer Desmond Farmer, who had 11 first-half points. For Utah it was a combined effort on the offensive end. Five players had four points for the Flash, leading the way was guard Gabe Pruitt who had nine. The first half came to a close at a 47-47 tie.
Both teams battled in the third. Reno built multiple five point leads, only to see them disappear. The Flash tied the game on three separate occasions in the third, but could never capture the lead.
Utah guard Orien Greene had a monster third quarter, trading buckets back and forth with opposing guard Farmer for Reno. Farmer and Greene scored 15 points apiece in the third, putting on a offensive display. Reno closed the quarter on a 6-2 run, taking a 73-69 lead heading into the fourth.
The Flash kept the game close in the early minutes of the fourth, but Reno began to pull away late. Farmer continued to score the ball for Reno as they built a 13 point lead down the stretch. Utah continued to struggle, allowing Reno second chance opportunities on the offensive glass.
Utah finished the game with five in double digit scoring figures led by Greene with 19. The Flash also had four technical fouls in the game. For Reno it was all guard Desmond Farmer. Farmer finished with 31 points, 20 in the second half. Forward Doug Thomas had a double-double with 15 points and 11 boards.
It was Utah's second home loss in as many nights, and the second straight loss of the year to the Bighorns. When asked why the Flash seem to struggle against Reno Coach Brad Jones said, "That's a veteran ball club they have, with a couple of number one NBA prospects in Robinson and Farmer. When we're facing guys like that we can't give them so many second chances."
The Flash look to turn things around, and revenge the loss when they host the Bighorns again Friday night at 7p.m. at the McKay Events Center.
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