Utah Snowbears roll to ABA Final Four behind Arceneaux, 130-115
March 10, 2005 - American Basketball Association (ABA)
Utah Snowbears News Release
Harold "The Show" Arceneaux and Derrick Dial went point for point, but it was Curtis Millage that made the basket that slammed the door on the two year run as ABA Champions. Arceneaux lead the Snowbears with 42 points and 6 rebounds, offsetting a star level performance by Dial, who almost shot the Snowbears season in the heart with 9 three point baskets on the way to 40 points. Utah lead most of the way, going on a 27-10 run in the final 5 minutes to win 130-115.
Utah jumped out front early behind 10 points from Arceneaux, until Dial and Juaquin Hawkins combined for 17 points in the quarter to give the Jam a 26-25 lead after one period. Curtis Millage came off the Utah bench to score 8 points in the second, while Arceneaux remained hot by adding 11 points of his own. Hawkins paced Long Beach with 5 points of his own, while Utah held off the Jam, leading 50-47 at the break.
Both offenses revved up in the third, as Clay Tucker and Arceneaux combined for 21 points. Jack Hartman had 8 points in the period for the Jam, but it was all about Dial, as he hit 6 three point baskets on his way to 20 points in the quarter. The Snowbears and Jam were whistled for 72 fouls in the entire game, 30 of those in the third period. Utah led 89-88 after three quarters.
The fourth quarter started with Dial giving the Jam a 91-89 behind a three pointer. Arceneaux answered with 7 unanswered points of his own, and Tucker added 12 points on a Utah run that put Utah ahead 108-102. Ty Hayes then switched to defend Dial, and Curtis Millage had 4 steals in the quarter, all leading to points in transition for Utah. Millage converted a steal into a three point basket, then stole the inbounds pass and hit a four point basket off the back court turnover, and Utah never looked back, coasting to the win.
Arceneaux had his season high 42, while Millage added 24 points and 8 steals. Tucker dropped in 23 points, while Tony Farmer and Ty Hayes added 13 and 12 points respectively. Hawkins added 18 points to Dial's 40, while Hartman, Vanderlaan, Coleman and Wright all registered double digits for Long Beach.
Utah advances to the ABA Final Four, where they await the winner between Maryland and the Texas/Bellevue first round game. Maryland advanced to the second round with a win over New Jersey. Texas and Bellevue meet Thursday in the first round. The Semifinals will be held Monday March 14 in Salt Lake City, with the Championship Tuesday March 15. For tickets, please call (801) 533-Bear (2327). You can hear the games on the Snowbears web site at www.utahsnowbears.net.
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.
• Discuss this story on the American Basketball Association message board...
American Basketball Association Stories from March 10, 2005
- Professional Basketball League Takes Giant Step Forward - ABA
- Utah Snowbears roll to ABA Final Four behind Arceneaux, 130-115 - Utah Snowbears
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
