BOISE -- The Idaho Stampede made some key acquisitions this week and they paid off in a 83-80 win over Dakota on Wednesday night.
Luke Babbit joined the team early Wednesday after being designated on assignment by the Portland Trail Blazers.
The 2010 first round draft pick got the Stampede rolling in the first half by helping Idaho erase an early 10-point deficit. The former University of Nevada guard was probably already used to playing in Boise considering he came to the City of Trees at least once a year as part of the Wolf Pack.
His experience showed as he dropped in a team high 18 points.
The other big acquisition, Antoine Walker, who was a 3 time NBAAll-Star, didn't see any action until about midway through the first quarter and also made an immediate impact. His first bucket of the game came on a strong drive to the hoop late in the first quarter. As the stanza came to a close he came up with a key steal and assist to Babbit for an and one finish. Walker had 13 points in 26 minutes.
Luke Jackson added had 16 points, while Lance Hurdle added 15.
The victory was the first for new head coach Randy Livingston. The Stampede are now 1-7 on the season.
The Idaho Stampede are back in action on Friday and Saturday night against the Utah Flash at Qwest Arena.
