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Columbus ends five-game losing skid

January 26, 2005 - NBA G League (G League)
Asheville Altitude News Release


ASHEVILLE, N.C., January 25, 2005 - Adam Harrington recorded 23 points off the bench as the Columbus Riverdragons snapped a five game losing skid with a 89-83 victory against the Asheville Altitude Tuesday night at the Asheville Civic Center. Columbus (15-6), who entered the game holding on to a slim one game edge in the NBDL standings race, increases their advantage to two games over the second seeded Altitude (14-9).

"This is a big win for us, we really need this," said Riverdragons head coach Jeff Malone. "Losing five games in a row was tough but this win gives us a lot more confidence."

When the Asheville Altitude and Columbus Riverdragons meet on the playing court, it?s no secret the game is going to be close. Two overtime match-ups, two victories each and a winning margin of less than 15 points, the Altitude versus Riverdragons contests have become more than a game it has become a genuine NBDL rivalry.

Tuesday night?s match-up proved no different than the previous four outings, furnishing flashy head-to-head match-ups, outside perimeter shooting and the winner earning their ribbon as the final seconds ticked off the clock. By the end of the first half, the game rendered eight ties, four lead changes and a one point lead for the Altitude, 22-21.

Second half play continued to show a balanced performance as the teams continued to exchange the lead. Asheville amassed their biggest lead (five points) of the night following a 2-ft jumper by Lenny Stokes with 8:27 left in the third quarter. But the Riverdragons, who took a total of 50 shots behind the charity stripe, overcame the small advantage pulling to within three as the quarter closed.

Five turnovers on five consecutive possessions opened a sloppily played fourth quarter by both teams. Asheville regained a slight charge connecting on two baskets to open the lead to eight points with 11:07 left in regulation.

Columbus suffering through a losing streak dating back to Jan. 15, would not succumb to another Altitude defeat, as they took a three point lead, 68-71, following a 12-2 run. Guided by Jeff Myers and Derrick Zimmerman, who combined for 17 points in the fourth quarter, the Riverdragons held off any late quarter efforts by the Altitude, yielding a five-point victory.

Asheville shot a dismal 38.5 percent from the field and connected on only one of nine shots from the 3-point line. Kirk Penney led the Altitude with 15 points, Brandin Knight finished with 13 and Tim Bowers chipped in with 10. Meeking accomplished his double-double performance scoring 14 points and pulling down a game high 16 rebounds.

"We just didn?t play well tonight," said Altitude head coach Joey Meyer. "We stopped running the offense and didn?t play aggressive down the stretch. We played bad, they played good, end of story."

The Riverdragons were led by Harrington, Zimmerman (17) and Myers with 14 points. Seth Doliboa added with 10 points off the bench in addition to two steals and two blocked shots.

Columbus will travel to Roanoke, Virginia Wednesday, January 26 facing the Dazzle beginning at 7:00 p.m. Asheville also meets the Dazzle in their next outing, Friday, January 29 at the Roanoke Civic Center.



NBA G League Stories from January 26, 2005


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