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Flyers Fall to RimRockers

February 2, 2007 - NBA G League (G League)
Fort Worth Flyers News Release


FORT WORTH, Texas, February 2, 2007 - The Fort Worth Flyers suffered their second home loss of the season tonight, falling to the Arkansas RimRockers 126-110.

In the first quarter, the Flyers scored the first basket, but it would be the only time in the game that they led. The RimRockers built a slow and steady lead and extended their advantage to 14-7 with 7:26 remaining. Fort Worth reduced the deficit to 16-14 after a jump shot by guard Maurice Ager with 4:54 to go. Arkansas went on another run, but the Flyers responded near the end of the period. Despite their work, Arkansas still led 32-29 at the end of the quarter.

"They wanted it more than we did," said Flyers head coach Sidney Moncrief. "They played harder; they played more with a sense of purpose."

In the second quarter, the Flyers still couldn't find their groove as Arkansas advanced to 40-29 at the 9:35 mark. Fort Worth continued to struggle as the RimRockers' lead bounced between five and 13 points for most of the period. With 57.0 left, guard Kevin Burleson and forward Terrance Thomas notched eight points but still couldn't overcome Arkansas, which led 67-63 at the buzzer.

In the third quarter, the Flyers' shortage remained; after the 4:59 mark, the double-digit lead remained intact for Arkansas. The RimRockers led 104-86 at the end of the period.

Moncrief said the Flyers didn't take the RimRockers as seriously as they should have and simply got outplayed.

In the final quarter, Fort Worth kept its intensity despite being behind for the whole tenure. The team came within 113-103 at 5:20 after a barrage of free throws and lay-ins by guards Corey Santee and Burleson. The Flyers came within ten points again,120-110, after free throws by forward Chris Copeland with 2:34 remaining, but they couldn't overcome the RimRockers.

"When you play uphill, when you're playing from behind the entire game, it's hard to turn that corner totally," said Moncrief. "I thought fatigue came into play a little bit for some of our guys."

Thomas led the Flyers with 32 points, 17 rebounds and four assists. Burleson collected 17 points, six rebounds and five assists; Santee chipped in 27 points, two assists and three steals.

For Arkansas, forward Roger Powell led all scorers with 46 points, plus 11 boards and an assist. Guard Clay Tucker added 20 points, nine rebounds and six assists; forward Tyrone Sally notched 18 points, three rebounds and two steals.

With the loss, Fort Worth moves to 17-8; Arkansas improves to 7-17 and snaps a 15-game losing streak.

Forward Pops Mensah-Bonsu did not play due to injury but is expected to be in tomorrow's lineup. The Flyers were also without guard Jose Barea, who was recalled by the Dallas Mavericks on February 1, the same day Ager was assigned.

The RimRockers will trek to Colorado to challenge the 14ers at the Broomfield Event Center in Broomfield, Colo. Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. The Flyers will conclude their five-game home stand Saturday, taking on the Albuquerque Thunderbirds at the Convention Center; tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m.

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