Talons Make Legends A Memory
February 1, 2006 - American Basketball Association (ABA)
Gallup Outlaws News Release
Gallup, NM. The ABA Gallup Talons and the SoCal Legends squared off Tuesday night in the desert in a game that had the implications of determining the best team in the west. As was the case the first time these two teams met, the game came down to the wire as Gallup was able to pull out the win 106-99 in a game that might have started a friendly rivalry between the two teams. Each now claims a victory over the other.
Not only did the Talons avenge their first loss of the season to the Legends, but Gallup showed they can play, run and compete athletically with the best the west coast has to offer. Gallup showed their athleticism from start to finish against the Legends and led throughout the game as they controlled the momentum and pace of the game. The Legends made their run late to take a one point fourth quarter lead until Larry Morania took control of the game for the Talons.
Morinia, who has been the Talons' "sixth man" off the bench this year went for 12 4th quarter points including stepping to the free throw line where he was 7 of 8 in crunch time. Three of those clutch free throws came late as Morinia, with the Talons down 94-93, was fouled with the 3-D light on. Morinia calmly walked to the line and sank all three giving the Talons a two point lead.
After a successful defensive stop, the Talons rode their workhorse forward Bernard McIntosh, with 30 points on the night, hit a turnaround jumpshot off the glass to extend the Talons lead. The Legends then had the opportunity to cut the lead until Morinia made the play of the night as he blocked a three-point attempt and delivered the knockout blow by taking the block in for a dunk.
"The game was exciting; we came out and competed and learned from our mistakes in the first game against these guys. We understood what we did wrong and we corrected it. I have all the respect for SoCal and their coach Gary Grant," said Talons head coach Clayton Shields.
The game was close throughout as the biggest lead of the game was 10 at one point for the Talons, but the play of Jimmy Miggins for the Legends kept them in the game as he scored 35 on the night. Gallup was able to ride hot shooting throughout the game to sustain their lead including 16 first half points by McIntosh. Alvin Broussard had 21. Louis Richardson scored 17 and had 13 rebounds. The win brings the Talons record to 16-2. Gallup next plays Monday and Tuesday at home at 7pm against the Orange County Buzz and will work to keep undefeated home court record intact. For more information, email herald01@cia-g.com or visit www.abalive.com.
Note: OurSports Central no longer actively covers the American Basketball Association (ABA) as a professional league due in part to its inability to publish and play a schedule and the transitory nature of many of its teams. For information on professional minor leagues, please see OSC's basketball section.
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American Basketball Association Stories from February 1, 2006
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- Talons make Legends a memory - Gallup Outlaws
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- ABA Names Two More All-Stars - ABA
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