Dazzle Dominate Dragons, 88-74

Published on February 17, 2005 under NBA G League (G League)
Columbus Riverdragons News Release


COLUMBUS, Ga.— NBDL leading scorer Matt Carroll posted a game-high 17 points and the Roanoke defense held Columbus to 37% shooting from the floor, as the Dazzle earned an 88-74 road victory over the Riverdragons on Thursday afternoon at the Columbus Civic Center. With the win, Roanoke (19-10) won its fourth in a row to earn a first-place tie with Columbus (19-10) atop the NBDL standings. The game was played in front of 2,177 fans as part of the Rivvy D Field Trip, in which elementary students from around the Chattahoochee Valley participated in reading activities helping to promote youth literacy.

In a matchup of the NBDL's top offensive club and the league's best defensive club, Roanoke's scoring punch proved too much for Columbus. The Dazzle matched their league-best shooting percentage by hitting 48% (34-70) of their field goals and controlled the game over the final three quarters. Columbus could not find the answer on offense, hitting just 29 of its 78 shots from the floor and just 16 of its 27 shots (59%) at the foul line.

After a back-and-forth first quarter that saw the Dazzle claim a three-point lead, at 23-20, Roanoke took control of the contest in the second and third quarters, outscoring Columbus in the two periods combined, 51-33. Following a Mike Benton jump hook at the 11:04 which brought the Dragons within one, at 23-22, Sung-Yoon Bang and Casey Sanders combined for eight points in a 10-3 run over the next 2:46 that boosted the Dazzle lead to eight, 33-25, with 8:18 left in the first half.

Roanoke would build the first half advantage to as many as 16 points on a Kevin Owens reverse lay-up with 4:12 left in the period. After Columbus cut the deficit to ten on back-to-back baskets from Derrick Zimmerman, Roanoke answered with six straight points over the final 3:11 of the half to claim a 49-33 lead at the break. The Dazzle's James Thomas and the Riverdragons' Zimmerman and Ramel Curry all finished the first half with a game-high eight points.

Roanoke put the game away late in the third quarter. After Columbus closed to within 12 points, at 58-46 on a Curry lay-in with 5:30 remaining in the period, the Dazzle responded with a quarter-ending 16-7 run that put the contest out of reach. Alexander got it going with three points and two assists in the spurt, while Carroll, Thomas, and rookie Miah Davis connected for baskets over the final 2:19 of the quarter to give Roanoke a 21-point lead, 74-53, heading into the fourth period. Carroll tallied eight points in the quarter for the Dazzle while Curry tallied six in the stanza for the Dragons.

Columbus would get as close as 11 points, 81-70, following a pair of free throws from Jeff Myers at the 4:55 mark of the fourth period. But it would be too little, too late for the Dragons, as jumpers from Alexander and Carroll iced the game for Roanoke. For the Dazzle, it was their fourth straight victory and the sixth in the last seven overall.

Roanoke finished with five players in double figures. Along with Carroll's 17 points, Isiah Victor posted 15, Thomas and Alexander finished with 11 apiece, and Sanders notched 10 points off the bench. Along with his 11 points, Thomas finished with 12 rebounds for his twelfth double-double of the season. Alexander notched 11 assists to claim his ninth double-double.

The Riverdragons finished with four players in double figures. Curry posted a team-high 14 points, while Benton, Zimmerman, and Myers all posted 11 points in the loss. Zimmerman also set a Dragons team record with six steals in the contest.

The Riverdragons return to action this Saturday, February 19, as they take on the Huntsville Flight at the Columbus Civic Center. Tip-off is 7:10 p.m.. The night will be highlighted by the return of SpongeBob SquarePants and his sidekick, Patrick, to the Chattahoochee Valley. Gates open at 6:00 p.m. and the event is sponsored by Knology, Sunny 100, West Georgia Orthodontics, and McDonald's.

The Dazzle will also return to action this Saturday, as they return home to host the Fayetteville Patriots at the Roanoke Civic Center. Tip-off is set for 7:10 p.m.. For more information, log onto nbdl.com.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



NBA G League Stories from February 17, 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.

OurSports Central