OREM, Utah, Dec. 29 -- The Utah Flash put together a 44-4 run from midway through the third quarter to midway through the fourth to come back from a 20-point deficit and defeat the Albuquerque Thunderbirds, 113-96, in NBA Development League action Saturday night at the McKay Events Center.

“I was pretty disappointed with our guys at halftime, but the way they came out in the second half and battled back was something to be proud of,” Flash coach Brad Jones said.

The Flash trailed by 12 at the break.

The Flash shot 88-percent (38-43) from the free throw line, including a perfect 11-of-11 by Morris Almond, who led all scorers with 26 points and converted 7-of-10 from the floor.

Kevin Kruger chipped in 22 points, and Lamar Rice recorded a career-high 16 points off the bench.

Reserves Michael Cuffee and Andre Ingram contributed 14 and 12 points, respectively.

“Without our bench tonight we would probably have gotten blown out.” Jones said. “Our bench is pretty deep for a D-League team; guys like Lamar Rice, Michael Cuffee and Andre Ingram came in and gave us a huge spark of energy.”

D.J. Strawberry followed up his 41-point night Friday against Utah with 23 points in Saturday's loss. Darvin Ham and Daniel Horton each contributed 17 for the Thunderbirds, while Ramon Dyer added 10 points off the Albuquerque bench.

The Thunderbirds (5-6), who won the first game of the home-and-home weekend series with Utah in Albuquerque on Friday, travel to Anaheim for a matchup with the Arsenal on Friday.

Utah (8-6) continues its five-game homestand Friday against the Bakersfield Jam, then Saturday against the Tulsa 66ers.