SUBMITTED NEWS RELEASE
Despite a game-high 32 points from Reno’s Desmon Farmer, the Idaho Stampede used a second-half surge to knock-off the Bighorns, 119-107, Wednesday night in the Reno Events Center.
Idaho (14-15) shot 51.1 percent from the field and out-rebounded Reno (12-17) by a 49-to-31 margin. The Stampede victory forces a split in the midweek series between the two teams.
Farmer finished 9-of-17 from the floor, 5-of-8 from the arc and 9-for-9 from the free-throw line to lead all scorers. D.J. Strawberry added a spark off the bench for Reno, collecting 28 points and six assists. Rod Benson led the Bighorns with 13 boards, while Will Blalock scored 12 points and dished-out 12 assists.
Andre Barrett led the way for the Stampede, scoring 24 points with a game-high 15 assists. Donell Taylor scored 26 points to lead seven Idaho players in double figures.
Reno will now take a short sabbatical, as the NBA D-League All-Star Game is set for Saturday. The game will feature Farmer, who was selected as a replacement earlier today.
The Bighorns return to the floor on Tuesday, Feb. 16 at Fort Wayne, kicking-off a five-game road trip.
Reno returns home on Feb. 27 for a weekend series against Tulsa. Tickets are on-sale now at www.RenoBighorns.com, the Reno Events Center Box Office, Silver Legacy Box Office, or by visiting any Northern Nevada Ticketmaster location or Web site.
The NBA Development League, founded in 2001, is the NBA’s official minor league whose teams have direct affiliations to NBA franchises. For the 2009-10 season, the league will feature 16 teams – including the debut of the Maine Red Claws and the Springfield Armor. A proven developer of talent, 20 percent of players in the NBA at the conclusion of the 2008-09 season boasted NBA D-League experience, while the league continues to develop coaches, referees, and front office staff for the NBA and its teams. In fostering the league’s connection to the community, its teams, players and staff promote health and wellness, support local needs and interests, and assist in educational development through NBA D-League Cares programs. The NBA D-League also advances the game of basketball as the research and development arm of the NBA. Throughout the season fans can watch all NBA D-League games on NBA Futurecast, the free live Web-streaming initiative found at nba.com/futurecast.
