Flash get first win in opening round playoff series

Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes

This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.

Press releaseOREM -- The Utah Flash (seventh seed) defeated the Iowa Energy (first seed) with a convincing 107-76 win Wednesday night in the first round of the D-league playoffs.

"I don't know what's magical or paralyzing about the word ‘playoffs,' but we were a little tentative to start tonight," said Utah Flash Head Coach Brad Jones. "We started off all casual, but as the game went on we got up and down the floor a little bit better. We got back to a more comfortable pace for us and got into a lot better rhythm as the game went on."

The Utah Flash made just one of their first 10 shots to start the game and shot 24 percent in the first quarter. Curtis Stinson led the way for Iowa scoring eight first-quarter points and grabbing eight rebounds. Bennet Davis scored four first-quarter points for the Flash.

Utah started to heat up midway through the second period of play, attributed to multiple defensive stops. They went on a 15-1 run toward the end of the quarter and took a 48-37 advantage at halftime.

The Flash extended their lead to 20 points midway through the third quarter behind a pair of Kevin Kruger three-point baskets. They held onto the lead with great team effort and went into the fourth period of play up 79-57.

The Flash lead extended even more after a Jordan Brady dunk four minutes into the fourth quarter put the Flash up 28 points. Iowa never made a run as the Flash cruised to an impressive victory over the number one seeded Iowa Energy with the score 107-76.

The Flash were led by Brian Hamilton and his 18 points and 12 rebounds while Greene added 18 points of his own. Gabe Pruitt chipped in 15 points and Kruger added 16 points. Stinson flirted with a triple double with 24 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists for Iowa. Jeff Trepagnier had 14 points in the losing effort for Iowa.

The two teams will meet for game two of three-game series in Iowa on Friday night. Game three, if necessary, will take place Sunday in Iowa as well.