Stampede Win Game Two of NBA Development League Finals presented by Delta
Published on April 25, 2008 under NBA G League (G League)
Idaho Stampede News Release
BOISE, Idaho (April 25, 2008) - The Idaho Stampede defeated the Austin Toros 90-89 in Game Two of the NBA Development League Finals presented by Delta, last night at Qwest Arena in Boise, Idaho.
With 3659 fans hoping the Stampede season, and the career of Idaho guard Randy Livingston, would be extended to a deciding Game Three, both teams came out sizzling hitting a combined seven straight shots from the floor.
Idaho's Roberto Bergersen, who went a combined nine of 32 from the floor in the post season heading into the night, connected on his first four shots including a left corner triple which knotted the score at 17 with just over five and a half minutes to play in the opening quarter.
Austin's Ian Mahinmi was a towering force for the visitors who were hoping to clinch the title in front of a handful of their fans who made the trip from central Texas. The big man on assignment from the San Antonio Spurs had three blocks in the quarter including one which led to an Andre Barrett three-pointer, putting Austin up 25-19.
Barrett, who has played on six different NBA teams during his career, was the driving force for the Toros all night, especially in the first quarter when he scored 12 points, including a seven-foot jumper from straight away with 1.5 seconds left. Austin led 33-27 after one.
In the second quarter Josh McRoberts, on assignment from the Portland Trail Blazers provided the Stampede with energy off the bench in what developed into a fast-paced, up-tempo game. The former Duke great hit his first two shots from the field and grabbed four rebounds in the middle of the quarter.
McRoberts' fellow super-sub Luke Jackson stepped up as well hitting a floater in the lane in the midst of a 12-1 Idaho run. Cory Violette also provided punch for the Stampede with an alley-oop dunk, layup and foul, and jumper with just over a minute to play in an entertaining first half.
The teams traded three's in the final 35 seconds of the second quarter with Barrett and Livingston hitting for Austin and Idaho, respectively.
At the break Idaho held a 49-45 edge, with Barrett's 18 points, and 13 from Violette leading their teams.
The third quarter was back and forth with no team able to extend a lead. The quarter came to a close with an acrobatic coast to coast layup which Barrett kissed off the glass and fell at the buzzer. Austin led by two heading into the final quarter - twelve minutes away from the 2008 NBA D-League title.
The Stampede came out flat in the fourth, but things took a turn for the better for the home team when Livingston hit a runner in the lane cutting Austin's lead to four, with just over eight and half minutes to play.
Idaho closed the gap to two points when guard Mike Taylor went coast to coast and finished with a driving layup off an Austin airball.
Barrett and Taylor traded baskets closing the Austin lead to three, 86-83. With 3:21 remaining, Taylor fearlessly drove the ball into the lane and his layup dropped making the score 86-85.
Jackson was then called for a flagrant foul on a Darvin Ham layup attempt; and when the NBA veteran banked in his two free throws, Austin held an 88-85 edge with 2:37 left to play. The free throws extended Austin's streak of consecutive second half free throws made to 20.
With 57 seconds left, Jackson hit a floater pulling the Stampede to within one, 88-87. After a Barrett miss, Violette was fouled with 21.9 seconds left. In a silent arena, Violette hit both shots giving Idaho the lead, 89-88.
After a timeout, Barrett found teammate Carldell "Squeaky" Johnson in the left corner, but his shot hit the side of the backboard and went out of bounds.
Livingston was fouled on the inbounds pass and hit one of two making the score 90-88 Idaho with 1.3 seconds remaining in the game. Stampede coach Bryan Gates was then called for a technical foul with 1.3 seconds left when Austin's inbounds pass hit Gates' arm.
Barrett knocked down the free throw, making the score 90-89. Ham then caught the inbounds pass and launched a fade away jump shot which was deflected by Idaho's Brent Petway as the buzzer sounded.
Idaho emerged victorious with a hard-fought victory, 90-89.
Barrett led all scorers with 27 points, while Violette's 19 points led four double figure scorers for the Stampede.
The deciding game of the best-of-three series will take place tonight at 9:30 pm ET at Qwest Arena. "If you enjoy basketball, this is the place to be," said Gates.
About the NBA Development League
The NBA Development League is the NBA's official minor league, and the first-ever basketball league with direct affiliations to NBA teams. Now in its seventh season the D-League's goals are to provide affordable, NBA-caliber entertainment to fans of its 16 teams, as well as continue to develop players, coaches, referees and front-office personnel for the NBA. As the single source for in-season player "call-ups" to the NBA, fans of the D-League enjoy the highest caliber of basketball played outside the NBA. In fact, former D-League players represented 10 percent of NBA players on 2007-08 opening day rosters, numbering 44 in total. In addition, the D-League has produced 25 percent of current NBA referees and 17 current NBA coaches, including head coach Sam Vincent with the Charlotte Bobcats. The D-League is an innovative and rapidly growing sports property that also serves as an experimental testing ground for new initiatives like NBA Futurecast, which is the live web-streaming of all games available free to fans at d-league.com. The League also provides continuing education and professional development resources for its players, and is committed to serving its local communities through D-LEAGUE CARES and grassroots efforts.
NBA G League Stories from April 25, 2008
- Idaho Stampede Captures 2008 NBA D-League Title - Idaho Stampede
- NBA D-League Daily Developments - G League
- Stampede Win Game Two of NBA Development League Finals presented by Delta - Idaho Stampede
- Stampede Emerge Victorious in Game Two of NBA D-League Finals Presented by Delta - G League
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