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Altitude slip by Flame for overtime win

January 22, 2005 - NBA G League (G League)
Asheville Altitude News Release


ASHEVILLE, N.C. - Ron Slay scored a game high 23 points off the bench to lead the Asheville Altitude to a 116-107 overtime victory over the Florida Flame Friday night at the Asheville Civic Center.

"Even though we didn?t play with good intensity, I was glad we were able to pull off this win," said Altitude head coach Joey Meyer.

Asheville point guard Brandin Knight returning back to the line-up following a two day stint with the Houston Rockets, opened the game scoring or assisting on the games? first seven plays. Asheville offensively in sync jumped out to a 10-0 lead in the first three minutes but Florida rebounded late in the quarter closing the lead to six.

Asheville regained their 10 point lead in the second quarter but couldn?t hold off a charging Flame offense that tied the score at 42 following a 12-4 rally in the quarter?s final minutes. With 23.9 seconds left in the half, Florida?s Hiram Fuller slammed the ball in for two giving the Flame their first lead of the game, 45-44. But Asheville?s Lenny Stokes and Timmy Bowers cancelled any celebrations for a Florida half time advantage scoring consecutive baskets with less than seven seconds remaining on the clock.

Altitude foul trouble opened the door for the Flame to stick close throughout the third quarter. NBDL scoring leader Antonio Meeking, who scored his ninth consecutive double digit performance of the season, picked up back-to-back fouls with less than two ticks off the clock to render the games second tie.

But Florida, also plagued by fouls, couldn?t benefit from Asheville?s penalties connecting for only 9-of-12 from behind the charity stripe in addition to recording a dismal 8-of-20 baskets from the field.

Fourth quarter play provided six ties and only one lead change. Florida?s Kirk Haston, who scored 11 points in the quarter, along with Fuller escorted the Flame to a four point edge with only a minute to play. But Asheville put the game in the hands of their scoring leaders, Meeking, who powered the ball to the basket on two consecutive plays to send the game into overtime.

Both teams traded baskets in overtime play but it was all Asheville down the stretch that sealed the victory. Asheville?s Kirk Penney commanded the extended period scoring nine points while connecting on 5-of-5 free-throws.

"Our last three games have been played really close," said Ron Slay. "We are taking things one game at a time, even if it comes down to the wire."

Florida provided two double-double performers for the night including Fuller with 20 points and 12 rebounds and Marcus Moore who recorded 14 points and 14 assists.

Six Altitude players scored double digits including Slay, Penney and Stokes with 20 points apiece, Meeking with 13 and Knight adding with 11. Slay posted his first double-double performance of season adding with 12 rebounds.

The Altitude will head to Columbus, Georgia tomorrow to take on the Riverdragons beginning at 7:00 p.m. Florida will take on the Fayetteville Patriots in back-to-back outings, Sunday and Monday at Crown Coliseum.



NBA G League Stories from January 22, 2005


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