Flash Defeat Vipers In Overtime
March 30, 2010 - NBA G League (G League)
Utah Flash News Release
OREM, Utah, March 30, 2010 - A thriller with the Utah Flash and the Rio Grande Valley Vipers Tuesday night resulted in an overtime 143-137 win for the Flash, making it their fourth home win in a row.
"Rio Grande Valley is a dang good basketball team and I thought our guys did a great job of adapting as the game went on tonight," said Utah Flash Head Coach Brad Jones. "Our guys are totally in tune with what we have to do in order to achieve what we want to achieve. To our guys' credit, they have added a little more toughness about them, a little more focus and we are really excited."
The Utah Flash started the game strong with a Kevin Kruger three-pointer and eight first quarter points from Bennet Davis. The Rio Grande Valley Vipers got some easy penetration and good looks to go on an early 10-2 run and led 29-27 at the end of the first quarter. Julian Sensley led the way for the Vipers scoring nine first quarter points.
The Vipers started the second quarter of play by extending their lead to 11 points and dominating the scoring in the paint. The intensity really picked up as the Flash fed off a mid quarter 10-2 run and tied the game 61-61 at halftime. Andre Ingram scored 12 first half points for the Flash while Sensley scored 14 first half points for the Vipers.
The game stayed close throughout the third quarter of play as both teams battled and traded baskets. The Flash took a 93-91 advantage into the final period behind a balanced team effort. Orien Greene got hot late and scored 11 of his 25 points in the third quarter to lead the Flash while Antonio Anderson scored 10 third quarter points for the Vipers.
A 10-2 run early in the fourth quarter put the Flash up seven points but the Vipers slowly closed the gap and took the lead in the final minute of play behind Will Conroy's 11 fourth quarter points. A Greene dunk off an inbounds play and two clutch free throws from Andre Ingram tied the game with 4.6 seconds to play in regulation. The Vipers failed to score at the buzzer and the game went into overtime.
The Flash executed in clutch moments and took advantage of the cold shooting from the Vipers in overtime. Utah made free throws down the stretch and a dagger three-point basket from Kruger with 20 seconds to play sealed the 143-137 victory for the Flash.
Kruger ended the game with 32 points (14 in overtime) and eight assists while Greene had 25 points and 10 rebounds for the Flash. The Vipers were led by Will Conroy's 28 points and 10 assists. Sensley finished with 27 points and 11 rebounds while Anderson ended with 25 points respectively.
Utah is still in the playoff hunt and will head down to Austin, Texas to face the Toros for the final two regular season games.
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