Flash Rally to Close Out Showcase With Victory
January 8, 2009 - NBA G League (G League)
Utah Flash News Release
OREM, Utah, Jan. 8, 2009 - Utah Flash guard Dontell Jefferson knocked down a game-high 24 points, and the Flash overcame a 10 point third-quarter deficit to defeat the Los Angeles D-Fenders 92-78 in the final game of the 2009 NBA Development League Showcase Thursday night at the Mckay Events Center.
The Flash, who improved their all-time Showcase record to 4-0, rallied for the victory despite shooting just 35-percent (26-74) from the field on the night-including connecting on only 20-percent (4-20) of their shots in the second quarter alone.
"In the first half, I was really disappointed with our mental focus." Flash head coach Brad Jones said. "They blocked some of our shots, and we started backing down. We weren't running our offense and we weren't playing aggressively."
The D-Fenders took an eight point lead into the halftime break, before extending the lead to double-digits in the opening minutes of the third period.
But an old-fashioned three-point play from Andre Ingram capped a 9-2 run and brought the Flash and the D-Fenders to a 46-46 tie mid-way through the third period. Utah rattled off five straight points to end the third quarter and take a 60-55 lead into the final period.
Jefferson picked up nine of his 24 points in a 32-point Flash fourth quarter that sealed the victory.
"He (Jefferson) put us on his shoulders and got us to where we needed to be to come out with a win." Jones added.
The Flash shot 77-percent (38-of-49) from the free-throw line on the night-including 10-of-12 (83%) from Gavin Grant. Jefferson knocked down 8-of-9 (88%) free-throws, including a perfect 6-of-6 in the second half.
"With shots not falling, we had to find another way to get on the board." Jefferson said. "We were able to get to the basket and get to the free-throw line and convert."
The Flash, who lost leading scorers J.R. Giddens and Bill Walker to recalls from the Boston Celtics prior to the game, got 18 points from Gavin Grant in his third start of the season. Utah Jazz assignee Kyrylo Fesenko added 10 points and nine rebounds in his second game on assignment with the Flash, while Carlos Wheeler added a D-League career high 11 points off the Flash bench.
The Defenders shot just 41.2-percent (28-of-68) from the field on the night, including just 33-percent (6-of-18) in the momentum swinging third quarter.
Dwayne Mitchell led all D-Fenders scorers with 20 points, while Joe Crawford connected for 16 points in the losing effort.
Utah (8-8) and Los Angeles (4-11) will turn around this afternoon and square off at the Staples Center in Los Angeles at 3:30 p.m. PT.
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