SUBMITTED NEWS RELEASE
Despite a game-high 27-point effort for newly acquired Will Blalock, the Reno Bighorns were upended by the Utah Flash Sunday afternoon, 111-76, in the Reno Events Center.
Reno (10-14) jumped out to a quick lead, but the advantage would be short lived. The Flash (15-13) led by seven at intermission, then went on to outscore the Bighorns 57-29 in the second half to cruise to the victory and force a weekend split between the two teams.
Blalock, playing in just his second game with Reno, finished 9-of-19 from the floor and 9-of-10 from the stripe. He added five rebounds, an assist and one steal. The Bighorns had just one other player register double figures, as Desmon Farmer scored 10 points. Rod Benson led Reno’s rebounding attack with 12 boards, including five on the offensive end.
Gabe Pruitt led the Flash with 22 points off the bench, helped by a 4-of-6 night beyond the arc. Bennet Davis grabbed 13 rebounds, while Dontell Jefferson and Andre Ingram each dished out seven assists for Utah. The Flash shot 50.6 percent from the floor and connected on eight three-point attempts.
The Bighorns now head off for three-straight games away from home. First-up is a date with the Austin Toros on Tuesday night. Tip-time from the Austin Convention Center is set for 5:30 p.m. PST, and the action can be seen live on NBA Futurecast by visiting www.RenoBighorns.com.
The Bighorns return to downtown Reno on February 9 and 10. 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.
