The Idaho Stampede captured the 2008 NBA Development League championship tonight by defeating the Austin Toros 108-101 in Game Three of the NBA D-League Finals at Qwest Arena in Boise, Idaho.

“It was an unbelievable game and a special night,” said Bryan Gates head coach of the Stampede. “This is one of those days when you’re 60 years old you’ll look back and say, ‘I remember that day.’

Idaho held a 55-46 halftime edge led by center Cory Violette’s 15 points and a 26 – 17 rebounding advantage. The Toros, energized by a pair of Andre Barrett three’s chipped away at the lead at the start of the third quarter pulling within three points on a Justin Bowen fastbreak layup with 4:08 remaining in the quarter. But Josh McRoberts put an end to the run with an alley-oop slam from Luke Jackson which sent the fans into a frenzy.

The season-high crowd of 4124 remained stoked when Violette retrieved an errant Jackson pass and threw in a desperation 29 foot banker as the third quarter buzzer sounded. The big man from Gonzaga recorded just three triples during the regular season, and this one extended the Idaho lead to 81-69. 

Idaho continued to pour it on in the fourth quarter as high flier Mike Taylor caught fire from downtown. The 6’2” reserve guard hit four consecutive three pointers during a three minute span, the last accounting for his 27th point of the game.

Brent Petway iced the game when Taylor and “Air Georgia” hooked up for one of their patented alley-oops, making the score 106-93. 

The victory marked the end of the 12-year professional playing career of Idaho’s Randy Livingston who spent over a decade in the NBA, and the past two years in the NBA D-League. Livingston, who tallied six points tonight earned the NBA D-League’s 2007 MVP award, and this season established a record with 22 assists against Bakersfield on Dec. 26, 2007.

“This is the most amazing way to end,” said Livingston. “I remember Jerome Bettis walked out a Super Bowl champion. Any championship is one to relish, one you savor.”

The 2008 NBA D-League Finals capped a record-setting season in which the league upped its overall attendance by 21%, including a record-setting crowd of 8842 for the first-ever Iowa Energy game on Nov.26, 2007. 

The League also established marks for player call-ups to the NBA (29) as well as player assignments (53).

Source: NBA Development League

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