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BAKERSFIELD, Cali., Jan. 30 - Morris Almond poured in an NBA Development League record 53 points to lead the Utah Flash to a 102-87 victory over the Bakersfield Jam Wednesday at Rabobank Arena.
On assignment from the Utah Jazz, Almond converted 19-of-34 field goal attempts and 12-of-14 free throw tries to break his own D-League single-game scoring record. The rookie from Rice had scored 51 against Austin on Dec. 21. Almond set the record with a pair of free throws with 29 seconds left to play.
"What a night by Morris. We needed a lift after a rough start to our road trip, and that's exactly what we got from him," Flash head coach Brad Jones said. "And for good measure, he stepped up and grabbed six rebounds on a night when we were a little short on the inside."
Almond's fellow Jazz assignee and post player Kyrylo Fesenko did not dress from the game while battling flu-like symptoms and forward Britton Johnsen didn't play for the second straight game due to personal reasons.
Brian Jackson also did his part to fill in for Fesenko on the inside, notching his third double-double with 10 points and 14 rebounds. Garry Hill-Thomas chipped in 13 points, followed by James Lang with 11 for the Flash, who snapped a four-game losing skid and improved to 14-13. Kevin Kruger dished out 10 assists for the Flash, who led by as many as 18 points with less than two minutes to play.
Andre Barrett scored 22 points and had 12 assists to lead Bakersfield, who dipped to 5-23. Michael Cuffee contributed 17, while Nick Lewis and Trey Johnson chipped in 12 each for the Jam.
