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Carolina Gets Their First Home Win Behind 24 From Harper

January 4, 2005 - American Basketball Association (ABA)
Charlotte Krunk News Release


The Carolina Thunder gave their fans their first and most exciting home effort of the season, defeating the Atlanta Vision, 97-94.

The Vision, lead by former NBA player Anthony "Pig" Miller, set out to establish him early and often; the results, 12 first quarter points, four point range lay ups. After trading baskets at the outset, the Vision went on an 11-0 run, putting them up by double digits, taking an eight point advantage into the second stanza.

After getting off to a sluggish beginning, the Carolina Thunder got into an offensive rhythm the home fans have yet to see, providing three quarters of crowd pleasing entertainment.

The games momentum began to turn as Steve Cox opened the second quarter with one of his four 3-point baskets, leading a short 5-0 run to narrow the deficit to three early in the period. The Thunder took advantage of the Vision's scoring drought midway through the quarter, led by Cox who finished the first half with 10 points. The Thunder posted 24 points in the quarter, turning an eight point deficit into a one point advantage by halftime.

The Thunder turned up the defensive pressure by sitting back in a 2-3 zone, conceding to the Vision the open 3-point shot. The Vision shot 5-14 from behind the arc, allowing the Thunder back into the contest.

The second half was nothing less than ABA entertainment at its peak. Everything from ally-oops, to lightning quick cross-overs were on display shortly after the players exited the dressing rooms.

Brett Harper led the Thunder's second half charge finishing with 24 points on 10-17 from the field. Harper gave the fans in attendance much to cheer about scoring on an array of one on one moves, all coming within the flow of the offense.

"My role on this team is to play good defense and be the motivational leader. I like to get everyone going, and score for this team when they need me," Harper said.

Not to be outdone, Amir Abdur-Rahim chalked up his share of high fives scoring from the mid to deep perimeter, including one cross over that left some fans simply shaking their heads in frustration; coupled with a tad bit of appreciation. Rahim finished with 18, leading the Vision to a 27 point third quarter; one shy of the Thunder's 28.

The game's final stanza began with the home team losing a two point lead, subsequently going down by three as the Vision stormed back to take a 71-68 advantage with 10:33 remaining. Miller, who did most of his field goal work in the first quarter, completed his effort from the free throw line where he was 9-10, finishing the game with 25 points and 16 rebounds.

Carolina answered the Vision's 7-0 run with a 5-0 run of their own to get within one, at 73-72. The teams then traded three point baskets before the Vision again went on a small run to go up by five with 6:46 remaining.

The Thunder answered again with Cox's fourth three pointer of the game, to bring them to within two. Chris Robinson then stole a careless pass completing the play with a lay up to tie the game at 82.

The Vision, who came into the contest winless in their first five games would not give an inch, even amidst the constant chants of "Defense, Defense." The Vision reclaimed the lead 88-84, only to relinquish it as the Thunder turned three consecutive turnovers into an 8-2 run to go up 92-90 with 1:10 to play.

"Our pressure defense really got us this win tonight, we had to capitalize on their turnovers," Harper said.

The anxiety grew to seismic proportions as Byron Dinkins fouled Rahim on a three point attempt while the Thunder clung to a two point advantage. After Rahim hit two of three from the line, Carolina called timeout and drew up a play for the veteran point guard Dinkins.

Returning to the floor after a timeout, Cox set an on the ball screen for Dinkins, pushing the handle from left to right as the shot clock ticked down. The Vision switched on the play which left Dinkins in a mismatch with three options: passing, penetrating, or shooting the long range three. He chose the latter and put the Thunder up by three with just under: 32 to play; which turned out to be the difference in the contest.

The fourth quarter featured six lead changes over the intense final 12 minutes that saw the Thunder outscore the Vision 29-28. The Vision's total would have been 31, heading into overtime if their last second thirty foot jumpshot that have come before the end of regulation.

"The turnovers broke us, they caused us to lose composure in the end, it was like a chemical imbalance," assistant coach Darrell Hairston said.

The Vision fell to 0-6, even while shooting 53 percent from the field. Eric Coats also played well for the Vision, finishing with 17 points.

The Thunder shot 47 percent from the floor but had 13 more field goal attempts than the Vision. Robinson finished with 18 points on 8-18 from the floor. Carolina only turned the ball over 10 times; taking much better care of the ball in their four victories.

With the win, the Thunder improves to one game under .500 at 4-5. The two teams will battle it out again tomorrow at 7pm, at the Logan Recreation Center.

For more information, contact The Carolina Thunder at (704) 343-0337 or visit www.thecarolinathunder.com or www.abalive.com.

Note: OurSports Central no longer actively covers the American Basketball Association (ABA) as a professional league due in part to its inability to publish and play a schedule and the transitory nature of many of its teams. For information on professional minor leagues, please see OSC's basketball section.



American Basketball Association Stories from January 4, 2005


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.

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