D-League Finals and Decisive Game 3 Tonight:

Stampede Win Game Two of NBA Development League Finals
Series heads to deciding Game Three Friday in Idaho

Boise, Idaho – April 25, 2008 - The Idaho Stampede defeated the Austin
Toros 90-89 in Game Two of the NBA Development League Finals presented
by Delta, last night at Qwest Arena in Boise, Idaho.

With 3,659 fans hoping the Stampede season would be extended to a deciding Game Three, both teams came out sizzling hitting a combined seven straight shots from the
floor.

Idaho’s Roberto Bergersen, who went a combined nine of 32 from the floor
in the post season heading into the night, connected on his first four
shots including a left corner triple which knotted the score at 17 with
just over five and a half minutes to play in the opening quarter.

Austin’s Ian Mahinmi was a towering force for the visitors who were
hoping to clinch the title in front of a handful of their fans who made
the trip from central Texas. The big man on assignment from the San
Antonio Spurs had three blocks in the quarter including one which led to
an Andre Barrett three-pointer, putting Austin up 25-19.

Barrett, who has played on six different NBA teams during his career,
was the driving force for the Toros all night, especially in the first
quarter when he scored 12 points, including a seven-foot jumper from
straight away with 1.5 seconds left. Austin led 33-27 after one.

In the second quarter Josh McRoberts, on assignment from the Portland
Trail Blazers provided the Stampede with energy off the bench in what
developed into a fast-paced, up-tempo game. The former Duke great hit
his first two shots from the field and grabbed four rebounds in the
middle of the quarter.

McRoberts’ fellow super-sub Luke Jackson stepped up as well hitting a
floater in the lane in the midst of a 12-1 Idaho run. Cory Violette also
provided punch for the Stampede with an alley-oop dunk, layup and foul,
and jumper with just over a minute to play in an entertaining first
half.

The teams traded three’s in the final 35 seconds of the second quarter
with Barrett and Randy Livingston hitting for Austin and Idaho, respectively.

At the break Idaho held a 49-45 edge, with Barrett’s 18 points, and 13
from Violette leading their teams.

The third quarter was back and forth with no team able to extend a lead.
The quarter came to a close with an acrobatic coast to coast layup which
Barrett kissed off the glass and fell at the buzzer. Austin led by two
heading into the final quarter – twelve minutes away from the 2008 NBA
D-League title.

The Stampede came out flat in the fourth, but things took a turn for the
better for the home team when Livingston hit a runner in the lane
cutting Austin’s lead to four, with just over eight and half minutes to
play.

Idaho closed the gap to two points when guard Mike Taylor went coast to
coast and finished with a driving layup off an Austin airball.

Barrett and Taylor traded baskets closing the Austin lead to three,
86-83. With 3:21 remaining, Taylor fearlessly drove the ball into the
lane and his layup dropped making the score 86-85.

Jackson was then called for a flagrant foul on a Darvin Ham layup
attempt; and when the NBA veteran banked in his two free throws, Austin
held an 88-85 edge with 2:37 left to play. The free throws extended
Austin’s streak of consecutive second half free throws made to 20.

With 57 seconds left, Jackson hit a floater pulling the Stampede to
within one, 88-87. After a Barrett miss, Violette was fouled with 21.9
seconds left. In a silent arena, Violette hit both shots giving Idaho
the lead, 89-88.

After a timeout, Barrett found teammate Carldell “Squeaky” Johnson in
the left corner, but his shot hit the side of the backboard and went out
of bounds.

Livingston was fouled on the inbounds pass and hit one of two making the
score 90-88 Idaho with 1.3 seconds remaining in the game. Stampede coach
Bryan Gates was then called for a technical foul with 1.3 seconds left
when Austin’s inbounds pass hit Gates’ arm.

Barrett knocked down the free throw, making the score 90-89. Ham then
caught the inbounds pass and launched a fade away jump shot which was
deflected by Idaho’s Brent Petway as the buzzer sounded.

Idaho emerged victorious with a hard-fought victory, 90-89.

Barrett led all scorers with 27 points, while Violette’s 19 points led
four double figure scorers for the Stampede.

The deciding game of the best-of-three series will take place tonight (Friday, April 25) at 9:30 pm ET at Qwest Arena. “If you enjoy basketball, this is the place
to be,” said Gates.