Flash Rally But Fall to Thunderbirds
January 2, 2010 - NBA G League (G League)
Utah Flash News Release
OREM, Utah - For the second time in three nights the Utah Flash hosted the visiting Albuquerque Thunderbirds at McKay events center in Orem Utah. The Flash rallied late but fell to the Thunderbirds 109-103.
The Thunderbirds opened the game on an 11-0 run behind the three point shooting of Kevin Pittsnogle. Pittsnogle connected on two straight from beyond the three point line, and added three free throws scoring nine points on the Thunderbirds first three possessions. Utah battled back closing the lead to five after starting the game down 11. The Flash were led by forward Bennett Davis who scored nine points, leaving Albuquerque up 32-27. Albuquerque closed the quarter shooting 71.4% from the field.
Utah overcame Albuquerque's five point first quarter lead early in quarter number two. The Flash were led by the play of guard Orien Greene and Forward Carlos Wheeler. Greene connected on three, three point field goals scoring 13 0f his 15 first half points in the second quarter. Greene also dished out six assists leading the Flash's scoring attack. Wheeler also contributed 14 points on six of seven shooting in the second quarter.
Albuquerque cooled down from they're 71.4% first quarter shooting percentage, but not by much they closed the half shooting 67.9% from the field. Three Thunderbirds scored double figures in the first half. After scoring the game's first nine points Pittsnogle closed the half with 12 points, forward Carlos Powell and guard Antoine Agudio also scored 12 each to lead Albuquerque. Utah outscored the visiting Thunderbirds by nine in the second to end the first half with a 57-53 home-court lead.
Utah opened the third quarter establishing they're inside play behind center Luke Nevill. Nevill scored six early third quarter points, blocked one shot and grabbed two boards in the early second half minutes.
Albuquerque continued to cool down from the field, while Utah built an eight point third quarter lead only to see it later disappear. Albuquerque closed the third quarter on a 6-0 run. The Thunderbirds were led in the third by guard Chad Toppert and forward Yaroslav Korolev who each scored five third quarter points. Albuquerque outscored Utah 24-18 to take a four point lead into the fourth quarter 79-75.
After taking the lead late in the third quarter, the Thunderbirds Korolev stayed hot scoring five more early fourth quarter points, maintaining a four point lead. Wheeler and Greene continued to battle keeping the Flash close, but with three minutes to play in the fourth Albuquerque had pushed the lead to nine points, just how they began the game.
Utah cut the lead down to four 99-95 with one minute to play in regulation. Wheeler then cut it to two with a two-hand follow-up dunk off a missed Jefferson jump shot, the Thunderbirds pushed the lead back to four on a pair of free throws. Jefferson knocked down a three pointer bringing Utah back within one with 18 seconds to go. In the end the high shooting percentage of the Thunderbirds proved to be too much both from the foul line and from the field. Albuquerque went eight of eight from the line down the stretch to seal the victory and split the two game home stand held by the Flash.
Albuquerque finished the game shooting 58.2% from the field; they went 7-17 from the three point line and shot 92.3% from the free throw line. The Thunderbirds were led by six players in double figures, 24 by guard Antoine Agudio and 21 for forward Carlos Powell. After the games first nine points Kevin Pittsnogle finished with 16 in the Albuquerque win.
For Utah it was a tough home loss to swallow," said Coach Brad Jones "I thought we played well defensively and I liked our effort, but in the end we just didn't get the necessary stops to win the game."
Utah had five in double figures led by a game high 26 points and 7 rebounds from forward Carlos Wheeler. Orien Greene added 19, and Bennett Davis had 17 off the bench for Utah in the loss.
Utah will travel to Boise to play in the NBA Development League Showcase next week, playing the Tulsa 66ers on Tuesday at 1:45 p.m.
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