Morning Box Score
By Marcus Gilmer in News on Nov 20, 2009 4:00PM
Blackhawks Scorch Flames
The Blackhawks are off to a hot start on their Circus Trip as they exploded for five second period goals on their way to scorching the Calgary Flames 7-1. Troy Brouwer opened the scoring with a power play goal halfway through the first period. Calgary answered with a goal in the opening seconds of the second period and then it was all Blackhawks. Kris Versteeg got a power play goal; Dustin Byfuglien and Andrew Ladd followed with even-strength goals; Patrick Kane scored a power play goal late; and Versteeg brought the period full circle by scoring another power play goal in the closing seconds of the period. Whew. Ben Eager scored a late third period goal just for good measure. The 'Hawks were efficient as they were actually out-shot by the Flames 28-26; Cristobal Huet got 27 saves, including 6 of 7 on power plays. Next up for the 'Hawks is a trip to Edmonton Saturday night (9 p.m., CSN).
Lakers Overpower Bulls
The Bulls ran into the buzzsaw that is a full Lakers team as Pau Gasol made his season debut with the Lakers and helped them overpower the Bulls by a 108-93 final. All five Laker starters scored in double-figures while the Bulls struggled a bit to keep up. Luol Deng only scored six and Taj Gibsion scored only four in less than 19 minutes on the floor. If there was a silver lining, it was Derrick Rose scoring 20 points, making good on his promise to improve his play. Joakim Noah also recorded a 12-15 line. The Bulls will try to bounce back in Denver Saturday night (8 p.m., WGN).
College Basketball
Long Beach State played Notre Dame tough in the first half, but the Irish, paced by Luke Harangody's 29 points, cruised to an 82-62 victory to remain undefeated.