NBA D-League Finals: Austin Toros Win First Game

April 22 - The Austin Toros edged past the Idaho Stampede 95-89 in Game 1 of the best-of-three 2008 NBA Development League Finals. The event was held the Austin Convention Center.

The Toros brought the more than 2,000 fans out of their seats in the opening 20 seconds when Josh Gross caught an alley-oop from Andre Barrett for a thunderous dunk. The team found its rhythm halfway through the second quarter. Barrett, who spent four seasons in the NBA, knifed through the lane and got the off-balance layup to drop. Justin Bowen who led all scorers with 25 points, promptly stole the inbounds pass, slipped the ball to Ian Mahinmi, who went up for a dunk.

Austin's lead hovered in double digits for most of the final quarter but Cory Violette's jumper drew the visitors to within seven points with five and a half minutes to play. However, Carldell Johnson scored on a driving layup, and two clutch jumpers to put the game on ice.

Darvin Ham, who was a member of the 2004 NBA champion Detroit Pistons, tallied 12 points and 13 rebounds. Violette led the Stampede with 20 points.

The series now moves to Boise, Idaho for the second game, broadcast on Thursday at 9:30 pm ET on NBA TV. If necessary, the rubber match will be played on Friday, also at 9:30 pm ET.

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