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.

IBA: Legends Beat Splash in Coffino's First Game as Head Coach

The Albany Legends are still in first place after beating the Gary Splash 127-114 at CBA on Friday night in John Coffino's first game as head coach of the team.

The undefeated Legends faced up against the Splash, who had the second best record in the IBA behind Albany. Lloyd Johnson, Kyle Downey, E.J. Gallup, Tadre Sheppard, and Kenny Tribbett were the starters for the Legends. A jumpshot by Tribbett, a layup by Johnson, and a 3-pointer by Kyle Downey put the legends up 7-0 to start the game. However, the Splash went on a 17-6 run and were up by 4 with three minutes left in the 1st quarter. A layup by Sheppard tied the game at 17-17 with a 1:30 left and the quarter ended with the game tied 21-21.

The Legends and the Splash continued to go head-to-head in the 2nd quarter. Midway through the period, the Legends led 43-40, but the Splash came back and went up 56-53 at halftime.

The second half started with a 5-0 run by the Splash, but the Legends responded with an 11-2 run and went up 64-63 after a 3-pointer by Johnson. Later, back-to-back baskets by Gallup put the Legends up 77-73. Albany led 89-80 at the end of the 3rd.

The Legends continued to pull away in the 4th quarter. Back-to-back 3-pointers by Gallup put the Legends up 110-93 and they never looked back. Late in the game, an alley-oop from Zachary Bye to Guy Dupuy left a Splash player posterized and the crowd going crazy (Unfortunately, it happened when I wasn't filming). The Legends ended up winning 127-114.

Player of the Game: Lloyd Johnson (37 points, 8 steals, 6 assists, 4 rebounds). He has emerged as the team's leader and go-to guy.

Tadre Sheppard also had a great game and scored 33 points and grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds. He also made 14 out of 22 field goals and shot over 60% from the field. E.J. Gallup finished with 15 points and led the Legends with 7 assists. Kyle Downey had a good all-around game and finished with 16 points, 4 assists, and 4 rebounds.

Marcus Snipes and Emanuel Mayben were in street clothes and didn't play. Snipes is probably still recovering from whatever injury caused him to miss last series. Mayben was suspended.

I like John Coffino. He seems like a cool guy and I'll think he's going to do well as head coach of the Legends. He's gotten off on the right start by winning his first game with the team. Then again, the Legends have won every game with every coach they've had this season.

Random Highlight of the Game: A missed dunk by the Gary Splash leads to an alley-oop from Lloyd Johnson to Tadre Sheppard.



The Legends (6-0) will play the Splash (8-2) again today at 7:00 pm at CBA to conclude the series. Regardless on whether the Legends win or lose, they will stay in first place.

(Sources: Times Union, http://ibaball.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/4-20-2012-legends-vs-splash.pdf)

Have any thoughts on the Legends beating the Splash? What do you think of John Coffino? Leave a comment below and tell me what you think.