Asheville Falls in Final Preseason Game
November 11, 2002 - NBA G League (G League)
Asheville Altitude News Release
ASHEVILLE, N.C., November 11, 2002 â Jermaine Walker scored 23 points Monday night as the Columbus Riverdragons beat the Asheville Altitude 86-68 at the Asheville Civic Center in the preseason National Basketball Development League finale.
Joining Walker in double figures was Aaron Owens who poured in 15 points. Asheville had four players in double figures as Larry Abney and Ryan Carroll poured in 12 points a piece.
Both teams started out slow in the first before the Riverdragons finished the quarter with 19-14 lead. Columbus with some solid inside scoring by Walker and aggressive rebounding, the Riverdragons took a 35-28 lead.
"We were rushing our shots in the first half, but we played well defensively," said Altitude forward Eddie Elisma. "We knew we could play with them. It was just having confidence in our offense."
The offense came along for Asheville in the third quarter, led by Elisma and Abney. Asheville took its first lead of the game 51-50 with five minutes to play in the third quarter. Elisma was the key factor for Asheville in the third scoring eight of his 10 points in the period. Asheville's Lee Scruggs poured in 12 points for the Altitude off the bench.
"I know what Eddie can do," Asheville coach Joey Meyer said. "I thought he and Abney were a good combination inside."
Asheville, however, couldn't hold on to the lead, because of the depth on Columbus' bench. The Riverdragons rotated players before going on a 13-0 run led by Owens and Walker. The Altitude made a late run, but fell short in the defeat.
"They were a little bit deeper," said Meyer. "They beat us off the dribble, but our team was a little bit better in the second half. I like what I saw. We have some real active players. I saw a ray of hope tonight."
The Altitude will open the 2002-03 regular season on the road at 7:30 p.m. EST Friday against the Fayetteville Patriots at the Crown Coliseum. Columbus travels to Greenville, S.C., to play the Greenville Groove, the defending NBDL champion at 7 p.m. Friday.
The Altitude hosts the Huntsville, Nov. 16, at the Asheville Civic Center. The game is scheduled for a 7:15 p.m. tip off.
For more information, log on to the Asheville Altitude, log on to www.ashevillealtitude.com or the NBDL, visit www.nbdl.com.
NBA G League Stories from November 11, 2002
- Asheville Falls in Final Preseason Game - Asheville Altitude
- Flight Falls On The Road To Greenville - Huntsville Flight
- Head Coach Tree Rollins Leads Groove To Pre-Season Victory - Greenville Groove
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