Big Idaho Comeback Seals Victory Over Flash
March 9, 2009 - NBA G League (G League)
Utah Flash News Release
OREM, Utah, March 9, 2009- Luke Jackson scored a game-high 29 points, and the Idaho Stampede overcame a 21-point second half deficit to pick up a 105-100 NBA Development League victory over the host Utah Flash Monday night at the McKay Events Center.
Idaho got 12 points from Jackson and outscored the Flash 35-16 in the final quarter of play to complete the come-from-behind victory.
"They got a lot more aggressive and attacked the basket a lot more on us." Flash head coach Brad Jones said. "When they got aggressive, for some reason we got on our heels."
With the win, the Stampede extend their first place lead to a game and a half over the Flash-with the two teams meeting twice more this season.
The Flash (20-14), whose next seven games are at home, takes on the Bakersfield Jam Friday. The Stampede (23-14) will travel to Colorado Tuesday for a showdown with the 14ers.
Utah took a 17 point lead into the halftime break, after a Morris Almond jumper with just under two seconds remaining gave the Flash a 64-47 lead.
The Flash extended their lead to 21 points after Andre Ingram connected on a lay-up with just over eight minutes remaining in the third quarter. But a Jackson three-pointer capped a 9-4 Stampede run to end the third quarter and cut the Flash lead to 84-70. Idaho got 53 points from its bench in the game-including 17 points in the third quarter.
"We had eight days off, and we would practice hard every day. All week long our second unit kind of took it to our starters every day." Idaho head coach Brian Gates said. "With about eight minutes to go in the third quarter, Coach Livingston whispered in my ear about our bench players, and by the seven minute mark, we had almost our whole second unit in."
A Mohammed Abukar jumper capped a Stampede 14-4 run to start the fourth quarter and cut the Flash lead to four points at 88-84 with 7:18 to play.
Two Lance Allred free throws gave the Stampede a 98-96 lead with 1:20 remaining, and a Jackson three-pointer extended the Idaho lead to five points with under a minute remaining.
"Luke is a terrific player." Jones added. "When he plays at his pace, he's one of the best players in this league."
Abukar dropped in 21 points off the Idaho bench, while Jamaal Tatum added 11 points in a reserve role. Allred contributed 12 points and grabbed nine rebounds for Idaho. Jason Ellis grabbed 13 rebounds for the Stampede, who out rebounded the Flash 15-8 in the fourth quarter and 51-50 for the game.
Utah Jazz assignee Almond led the Flash with 22 points, while Kevin Kruger added 15. Ronald Dupree chipped in 19 points. James Lang grabbed 10 rebounds for the Flash.
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