Idaho 91, Anaheim 75

BOISE, Idaho, Dec. 28 – In a near carbon copy of the first half two nights ago against the Bakersfield Jam, the Idaho Stampede started strong and never looked back in a 91-75 win over the Anaheim Arsenal. 

Lance Allred led the charge with a game-high 19 points, while Roberto Bergersen had 18 points and eight assists. Brent Petway added 13 points, and Randy Livingston finished with 11 points and eight assists. Mouhamed Sene ended the game with nearly a triple-double, finishing with nine points, 10 rebounds and seven blocks. Cory Violette also contributed nine points and 10 rebounds.

The Arsenal had five players finish with double digits in the scoring column, led by Jamaal Thomas off the bench with 16 points. Steven Smith added a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds, Davin White pitched in 13 points, and Kedrick Brown and Will Blalock each finished with 10 points.

The Stampede started the game on a 14-3 run, shooting nearly 67 percent from the field and holding the Arsenal to just 6-for-20 from the floor in the first quarter. In addition, Idaho’s 14 assists in the quarter resulted in all 14 field goals, which was insturmental in the 17-point lead at the break.

 “When you can defensively rebound the ball about 80% of the time and you share the ball that way, you’re going to have success,” said Stampede coach Bryan Gates.

While sharing the ball, Idaho also put together some highlight material plays, capped by an alley-oop off the glass from Bergersen to a soaring Petway for a dunk in the first quarter. The Stampede also locked down the paint on the defensive end, including Seattle SuperSonics assignee Sene -- blocking three straight shots on one play. Idaho finished the first half with a 52-34 advantage, dolling out 18 assists on 21 field goals and shooting nearly 54 percent from the floor.

It was more of the same in the third quarter, as Idaho continued to share the ball offensively and Anaheim struggled to shoot well from the field. Idaho led 64-44 with 7:34 left in the third quarter, then went on a 10-0 run to push the lead to 30 points after a Violette steal and Petway breakaway dunk. Idaho led 81-54 at the quarter break.

The pace of the game slowed to a crawl in the fourth quarter, as Idaho committed 10 turnovers, shot only 21 percent and managed only 10 points during the final period. The Arsenal could not take advantage, though they did shoot 7-of-19 and eventually cut the lead down to 16 points at the final horn.

 Anaheim and Idaho tip off again Saturday night at 7 p.m. in Boise.