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G League Austin Spurs

Dazzle Defeat Toros 113-111

March 8, 2006 - NBA G League (G League)
Austin Spurs News Release


AUSTIN, TEXAS, March 8, 2006 - After being held scoreless in the first half, Roanoke (19-18) guard Will Bynum exploded for 36 points in the second half and overtime to help propel the Dazzle to a 113-111 overtime win Wednesday night at the Austin Convention Center.

Austin (20-15) was unable to get off an attempt to send the game into double overtime as the Toros' inbound pass with less than four seconds to play was stolen. Bynum was perfect in overtime going 6-of-6 from the free throw line netting half of the Dazzle's output in stanza.

"He (Bynum) showed everybody why he's one of the best scorers in the league," said Austin head coach Dennis Johnson. "He was able to get to the basket and make things happen for his team. We just couldn't stop him when we needed too."

Austin let an opportunity to win the game in regulation slip through its fingers when guard Derek Zimmerman stole a Roanoke inbound pass with 20 seconds left to play. Zimmerman was all alone with an easy layup but couldn't convert as the ball went halfway down before rimming back out.

"You got to have luck in this game and that was lucky for us," said Roanoke head coach Kent Davison. "That was one of those plays that you never really see. But, I thought we did just enough on defense to win against a very good Austin team."

Roanoke started the game cold from the floor missing its first nine shots. Austin took advantage of the Dazzle's slow start jumping out to a 10-0 lead in the first four minutes of the game. Neither team shot exceptionally well in the first quarter with Austin going 8-of-24 for 33.3 percent and Roanoke just 7-for-22 for 31.8 percent from the field in the first quarter.

Both teams were able to improve their shooting touch from the floor in the second quarter behind solid bench play. Roanoke eventually put together a string of baskets sparked by the inside play of Isiah Victor and P.J. Ramos. Victor (9) and Ramos (7) combined to score 16 of the Dazzle's 19 first quarter points.

The Dazzle was led by D'or Fisher's 4-of-5 shooting in the second quarter while Julius Hodge scored all nine of his first half points in the second to help Austin to a 44-40 lead going into the locker room.

Bynum was unstoppable coming out of the locker room scoring 23 of his points in the third quarter. He only missed two shots in the third going 8-of-10 from the field and 6-of-6 from the free-throw line.

"I told him at the half that he needed to start doing the things that he knows how to do best," Davison said. "And once he started getting to the basket, he was able to not only make shots, but create opportunities for several other guys as well."

In addition to Bynum, Peter Ramos was huge for Roanoke scoring 21 points on 10-of-15 shooting. Isiah Victor helped the cause finishing with 19 points and 13 rebounds.

Austin was paced by Ezra Williams' 23 points. Jamar Smith added 22 points and 16 rebounds while Gerald Fitch chipped in with 20 points.

The Toros head to Albuquerque, N.M. to face the Thunderbirds in their next outing on Friday, March 10. The Dazzle head to Tulsa to take on the 66ers in their next game tomorrow beginning at 11 a.m.

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