Utah Snowbears rout Dragons, prepare for Dennis Rodman and Long Beach Jam
Published on March 8, 2005 under American Basketball Association (ABA)
Utah Snowbears News Release
Ike Austin had two weeks to prepare his Western Division Champion and top seeded Utah Snowbears for the playoffs. It showed in great detailed as Utah improved its record to 26-1 with a 122-76 win in the first round of the 2005 ABA playoffs against Tijuana. The Snowbears started slow, and trailed at the end of one quarter 24-23 behind 8 points from Reggie McKoy. Tijuana led 24-21 before Utah went on a 25-2 run to take a 46-26 lead early in the second. Clay Tucker had 10 points in the run and Babacar Camara added 6 points and 6 rebounds in the run for the Snowbears. Utah led at the half 58-44.
Tyrone Hayes made his first appearance for Utah in a month, and he and Harold Arceneaux scored on alley oop slams and breakaway dunks early in the third, as Utah raced out to a 82-61 lead after three periods. Adrian Brown tried to keep Tijuana close with 6 points in the period, but Utah simply had too many weapons for the weary Dragons. Hayes and Tucker combined for 16 points in the final period, while Dino Tanner and Jared Ramirez combined for 16 points of their own down the stretch to finish off the Dragons.
Utah held Tijuana to 24 field goals off 8 assists. Hayes finished with 28 points and 11 rebounds, while Tucker added 23 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists. Arceneaux finished with 17 points, including two monster slams, while Tanner and Ramirez finished with 13 and 12 respectively. Camara led Utah with 13 of their 58 rebounds. Adrian Brown finished with 20 points, while Reggie McKoy added 18 points and 16 rebounds for the Dragons.
Utah advances to the ABA Elite 8, where they await the two time defending ABA Champion Long Beach Jam. Reports late Monday stated that Dennis Rodman is expected to join the Jam for the game in Salt Lake City. The two teams met previously in Long Beach, with Utah erasing a 28 point third quarter lead to win 118-113. Utah was led by Harold Arceneaux and his 27 points, while Tucker added 24 and Curtis Millage 21. Long Beach was led by Derrick Dial's 16 points. The game has been moved to Wednesday March 9 at PM at Salt Lake Community College. For tickets, please call (801) 533-Bear (2327). You can hear the game 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.
American Basketball Association Stories from March 8, 2005
- Master P joins Snowbears, Austin to appear on ESPN2's "Cold Pizza" - Utah Snowbears
- Snowbears face defending champs in round two - Utah Snowbears
- New Jersey SkyCats Graduate Sixth Person - New Jersey SkyCats
- Utah Snowbears rout Dragons, prepare for Dennis Rodman and Long Beach Jam - Utah Snowbears
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