Utah Flash: Karl leads Idaho over cold-shooting Flash

BOISE — Coby Karl scored 20 points and the Idaho Stampede put the clamps on the Utah offense on the way to an 88-74 NBA Development League victory over the Flash on Saturday night at Qwest Arena.

After holding Utah without a field goal for the first 8:01 of the game, Idaho turned up the defensive heat even more in the fourth quarter, limiting Utah to just 2-for-18 from the floor in the final period.

After the Flash cut a 14-point Stampede advantage to three on a Bennet Davis free throw with 10:27 to play, Utah failed to score for the next 6:40 and went without a field goal from the 10:53 to 2:53 marks in the fourth quarter.

Idaho improved to 6-1 with its third straight win, while Utah dropped to 2-5 with its third consecutive loss. Utah's 74 points was its lowest output in the history of the franchise.

Former Weber State star Lance Allred followed Karl with 16 points for the Stampede. Luke Jackson added 15 points and Jermareo Davidson notched a double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds for Idaho.

Flash point guard Dontell Jefferson led all scorers with 22 points on a night when Utah made a meager 25-of-80 from the floor and recorded just 10 assists as a team. Jefferson collected nine rebounds, but had just one assist. Gavin Grant and Davis scored 11 each off the Flash bench. Carlos Wheeler chipped in 10 in a reserve role.

Boston Celtics assignee and Flash leading scorer (22.2 ppg) Bill Walker did not attempt a shot and failed to get a rebound in just over seven minutes of first-quarter action and did not return to the game nursing a neck strain. J.R. Giddens, also on assignment to the Flash from the Celtics, had two points and four rebounds in 28 minutes while battling a sprained wrist. Both are day-to-day.

The Flash is host to the Reno Bighorns on Monday at the McKay Events Center in what will be the third game in four days for Utah. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.