D-Fenders Rally for Overtime Victory

Published on January 27, 2009 under NBA G League (G League)
Los Angeles D-Fenders News Release


EL SEGUNDO, CA - The Los Angeles D-Fenders rallied back from a 17-point deficit to defeat the Idaho Stampede, 106-103, in overtime at STAPLES Center on Tuesday evening.

Los Angeles (6-18) trailed for much of the game, but clawed their way back in the fourth quarter. Dwayne Mitchell sank a free throw with 4:18 left in the quarter to give the D-Fenders their first lead of the game. The D-Fenders used a 13-0 run early in the period to cut the lead down to two points.

"It's been a tough year and today they really wanted it, they didn't give up;" states D-Fenders' head coach Dan Panaggio. "They just kept working and waiting for their moment. Their opportunity finally came and they wore them down a little bit in the fourth quarter. (Idaho) got a couple of buckets in the overtime period and then it was all us."

Longar Longar came off the bench for the D-Fenders posting 21 points, 11 rebounds and four blocked shots to propel the D-Fenders to victory. Joe Crawford paced Los Angeles with 26 points and Dwayne Mitchell was clutch in the fourth quarter, hitting eight of nine from the free throw line. Mitchell scored 14 of his 23 points in the fourth.

Luke Jackson took over the Stampede in overtime scoring 10 of his season-high 31 points in the extra period. Dwayne Jones chipped in with 18 points and 14 rebounds and Brent Petway (17), Lance Allred (13) and Lanny Smith (10) rounded out their top scorers.

Idaho (17-8) missed the services of Allred and Petway in the fourth quarter and overtime periods after each was forced off the court. Allred was ejected from the game with 4:27 remaining in the fourth quarter with two technical fouls, while Petway picked up his sixth personal foul with 4:48 remaining in the stanza.

"(Longar's presence) was huge;" added Panaggio. "He anchored our defense and he blocked shots. He had four blocks, 11 boards, and 21 points, what more can you ask from the guy. He did a great job for us."

The D-Fenders and Stampede will square-off this weekend with a back-to-back set in Idaho.

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