Austin extends win streak to five
Published on January 15, 2006 under NBA G League (G League)
Austin Spurs News Release
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C., January 15 - In his first starting assignment since December 17, Jamar Smith scored 26 points and grabbed eight rebounds to lead the Austin Toros to a 106-89 victory over the Arkansas RimRockers in the opening game of the 2006 D-League MLK Showcase at the Crown Coliseum. "People see this game as Jamar stepping up, but he's no secret to us," Austin coach Dennis Johnson said. "We see that from him all the time at practice and in games. We wanted all our guys to show well today and the only way for us to do that is to play team basketball."
The win was the fifth consecutive for Austin and lifted the Toros to 9-7. Coach Dennis Johnson's club has now won seven of its last eight games. Arkansas dropped to 10-8 and lost for the sixth time in the last nine games.
Smith, getting an opportunity for extended minutes with Marcus Fizer out nursing a hip pointer, converted 12-of-17 field goal attempts in 37 minutes. Scott Merritt contributed 22 for the Toros, who led by as many as 30 points.
Ezra Williams scored 15 points, Andre Emmett 14 and Alex Scales 13 to round out double figure scorers for Austin, who shot 52-percent (36-68) from the floor and converted 30-of-37 free throw attempts (81-percent). Austin, which led 63-39 at the half, forced 29 Arkansas turnovers, just one shy of the league record.
"You can't turn it over 29 times, 20 in the first half, and expect to win. We did that and let them get up on us," Arkansas coach Joe Harge said. "I do like what Pape (Sow) did, but he is terrific every night."
Pape Sow, on assignment from the Toronto Raptors, scored 25 points and collected 10 rebounds to lead Arkansas. Donta Smith, on assignment from the Atlanta Hawks, followed Sow with 17 points. Myron Allen chipped in 13 for the RimRockers.
Both teams return to action on Monday. Austin plays Albuquerque in the opening game of the second day of the Showcase at 11 a.m. ET. The RimRockers play the Florida Flame at 2 p.m. ET.
To access the boxscore click on the link below:
http://www.nba.com/dleague/games/20060115/AUSARK/boxscore.html
NBA G League Stories from January 15, 2006
- Trail Blazers assign Monia and Webster to Fort Worth - G League
- Grundy and Bynum pace Roanoke to win - Roanoke Dazzle
- Flame Blast Fayetteville, 109-86, in MLK Showcase - Florida Flame
- Hayes and T-Birds handle Tulsa - Tulsa 66ers
- Austin extends win streak to five - Austin Spurs
- D-League daily developments - G League
- RimRockers fall to Tulsa - Arkansas RimRockers
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