NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, CFL stats



Patriots ride first-quarter run to fourth win in five games

March 11, 2006 - NBA G League (G League)
Fayetteville Patriots News Release


FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - The Fayetteville Patriots broke open a close game with a 10-1 run to close out the first period and doused the Florida Flame, 101-85, in NBA Development League action at the Crown Coliseum Saturday night. It was the Flame's seventh loss in the last month against just one win, dropping them to 21-17. The Patriots are 4-1 in the month of March, and 10-25 overall.

"We've had so many changes this season, especially early on," said Fayetteville coach Mike Brown. "We lost players, and were short players, and then had new players. We're finally at a point where we can run a full five-on-five at practice and that helps us a lot."

The two kept the game tight through most of the first and Florida's Lenny Stokes hit from inside, outside and the free throw line to help the Flame inch ahead, 18-17. But with 2:31 remaining, Fayetteville's Mateen Cleaves ignited a spurt that saw the Patriots draw shooting fouls on five straight possessions. Cleaves sank two, then Ryan Randle hit four in a row, Amir Johnson made a pair, and Cleaves sank two more to stretch the lead to 27-19.

Florida was never able to recover from the string, as the Patriots went up by as many as 17 in the second. The Flame never closed the lead to less than double figures the rest of the way.

"We had to look at this team -- a team that is struggling with missing some players like we did -- and we knew the difference would be inside," Brown said of the Flame, who have lost some key players to NBA call-ups and injuries. "We knew we had to take advantage of that."

Cleaves continued to provide much of the spark for the Patriots. He finished with 18 points, seven assists and five rebounds, and went 11-12 from the free throw line.

"Mateen knows how to play the game because he's a veteran," Brown said. "If his jumper isn't falling, he knows to take it to the cup. He knows how to take over a game and get everyone else involved. He's got the experience and he's a proven winner."

Erik Daniels scored 19 to lead the Patriots and Johnson added 18.

T.J. Sorentine paced the Flame with 19. Stokes hit for 15 and Duane Erwin added 14.

The Patriots welcome the Austin Toros to the Crown Coliseum on Sunday. The Toros, an affiliate of the Denver Nuggets, feature former N.C. State star and 2004 ACC Player of the Year, Julius Hodge. Tipoff is slated for 5 p.m.

The two teams square off again Saturday night for Harley Davidson Rock & Roll Night at the Crown. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30.

The D-League offers players the opportunity to develop their talent in a highly competitive atmosphere under the NBA's umbrella. Thirty-four (34) players have been called up to the NBA on 50 separate occasions. Ten (10) former DLeague coaches, five athletic trainers, 11 referees and 30 front office executives have also been called up since the start of the league's inaugural season in November of 2001.

Designed to help grow the sport of basketball both domestically and internationally, the league also offers fun, family entertainment at affordable prices. The D-League is a source of on-court talent for the NBA's 30 teams and is a diverse human resources pool for the NBA and its teams by training employees in management, operations, public relations, sales and marketing positions. For more information on the Patriots, visit fayettevillepatriots.com or call (910) 213-1005.

• Discuss this story on the NBA G League message board...

NBA G League Stories from March 11, 2006


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Fayetteville Patriots Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central