Stampede back on track with win over Skyforce
April 4, 2007 - NBA G League (G League)
Idaho Stampede News Release
BOISE, Idaho (April 3, 2007) - Ronell Taylor scored a game-high 26 points on 11-for-18 shooting, en route to a 105-97 victory over the Sioux Falls Skyforce at Qwest Arena. Taylor got a quick start with 10 points in the first quarter.
The win, coupled with a Colorado loss to Fort Worth, pushes Idaho ahead in the Western Division standings by three games and gives them a league-best 30-16 record on the season. With the loss, Sioux Falls drops to one game behind the Dakota Wizards in the Eastern Division standings.
Sioux Falls' biggest lead came very early, when forward Amir Johnson's lay-up put the Skyforce up four points with five minutes left in the first quarter. The Stampede then went on a 15-0 run at the end the first quarter and beginning of the second, capped by an Eric Williams hook shot to put Idaho ahead 29-18 with 11 minutes remaining in the half. The Stampede's biggest lead of 13 points came with six minutes left in the second quarter on a DeSean Hadley jump shot. Skyforce forward Antywane Robinson's three-point basket, and two free throws by guard Robert Hite cut Idaho's lead to 47-44 going into halftime.
With 8:04 left in the game, the Stampede were ahead 87-83 and held Sioux Falls to one Antonio Meeking dunk in four minutes, pushing their lead to eleven.
Sioux Falls committed 20 turnovers, translating into 25 points for Idaho, while the Stampede turned the ball over only 12 times, giving up seven points.
Led by Taylor, Idaho had five players in double digit scoring. Lance Allred had his third double double in four games with 18 points and 17 rebounds, while Randy Livingston had his eleventh double double of the season with 11 points and 10 assists. Eddie Robinson pitched in 17 points and DeSean Hadley added 13 points and 7 rebounds off the bench.
Stephen Graham led Sioux Falls with 20 points, while Detroit Pistons assignee Johnson added 19 points and seven rebounds. Forward Damone Brown added 15 points and eight rebounds in the loss.
The Skyforce continue their long, regular season-ending road trip at Arkansas on Friday, April 6 and at Dakota for an Eastern Division battle on Saturday, April 7. Idaho's next two games are against division rival Colorado, with a home-and-home set in Broomfield, CO on Friday, April 6 and in Boise on Saturday, April 7.
Listen to all Idaho Stampede basketball games on AM 630 KFXD, part of the D-League Radio Network. Watch all Stampede home games live and on-demand at www.idahostampede.com via Fiberpipe Internet Services. Each webcast includes not only great basketball, but also zany on-court promotions and halftime acts.
The D-League currently includes the Albuquerque Thunderbirds (N.M.), Anaheim Arsenal (Calif.), Arkansas RimRockers (Little Rock), Austin Toros (Texas), Bakersfield Jam (Calif.), Colorado 14ers (Broomfield), Dakota Wizards (Bismarck, N.D.), Fort Worth Flyers (Texas), Idaho Stampede (Boise), Los Angeles D-Fenders (Calif.), Sioux Falls Skyforce (S.D.) and Tulsa 66ers (Okla.).
The D-League continues to develop talent from across all disciplines for the NBA's 30 teams and the entire NBA umbrella. In addition to the assignment of 20 NBA players to D-League affiliates this season, there have also been 11 GATORADE Call-Ups from the D-League to the NBA. Additionally, every referee hired by the NBA since 2002 has worked in the D-League, while coaches, athletic trainers and front office executives are also being developed.
Designed to help grow the sport of basketball both domestically and internationally, the D-League also offers fun, family entertainment at affordable prices. For additional information on the NBA Development League, visit D-LEAGUE.com.
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