IBA: Gallup Drops 45 as Legends Beat Splash in Comeback Win

Last night, the Albany Legends completed a sweep of the second-place Gary Splash behind 45 points by E.J. Gallup.

Lloyd Johnson, Emanuel Mayben, E.J. Gallup, Tadre Sheppard, and Kenny Tribbett were the starters for the Legends. Meanwhile, the Splash only had 7 players in uniform. The first basket of the game was a layup by Mayben, but the Splash responded with a 6-0 run to go up 6-2. Later, a 3-point play by Mayben put the Legends up 13-12, but the Splash regained the lead. Gary pulled away and led 29-20 at the end of the quarter.

The Splash continued to pull away in the 2nd quarter. They led by 14, but a 3-pointer by Gallup later cut the lead to 10. Then, the Splash went up by 19 for their biggest lead of the game. However, the Legends ended the first half with a bang and cut the lead to 9 and were down 58-49 at halftime.

During halftime, Guy Dupuy did an off-the-bounce, between-the-legs dunk over an intern:



The Legends started the second half with a 14-0 run and went up 63-58. Later, an alley-oop from Gallup to Sheppard put the Legends up 77-67. A 3-pointer by Gallup during the next possession put the Legends up 80-69 and another three by Gallup put the Legends up 83-71. At the end of the 3rd, a Splash player heaved a halfcourt shot that he released after the buzzer and made it. Much to the dismay of the fans and Legends coach John Coffino, the referees counted it and Albany led 85-80 at the start of the fourth.

The Splash tied the game 95-95, but a 4-point play by Gallup but the Legends up 99-95. Another 4-point play by Gallup served as the dagger and put Albany up 115-104. The Legends won 118-108.

Player of the Game: E.J. Gallup (45 points, 12-of-17 from 3-point range)

Lloyd Johnson scored 22 points, dished out 6 assists, and grabbed 5 rebounds in the win. Emaunel Mayben helped out with 21 points and 7 assists. Tadre Sheppard finished with 14 points on 5-of-10 shooting from the field and 7 rebounds.

Star of the Series: Lloyd Johnson (averaged 29.5 points, 6 assists, and 4.5 rebounds per game in series)

Next, the Albany Legends (7-0) will play the Kankakee County Soliders (5-1), the 2011 Winter IBA Champions, on April 27th.. Their star player, Ryan Edwards, is a scoring machine and scored 57 points in a win against the Springfield Express this season.

Sources: Times Union, http://ibaball.net/kankakee-soldiers, http://ibaball.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/4-20-2012-soldiers-vs-express-box-score.pdf)

Have any thoughts on the Legends sweeping the Splash? Was E.J. Gallup's 45 points last night more impressive than Lloyd Johnson's 51-point performance against the Capitals? Leave a comment below and tell me what you think.