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Dazzle Finally Slay Dragons in OT

December 29, 2002 - NBA G League (G League)
Columbus Riverdragons News Release


COLUMBUS, Ga., (Dec. 29) – Kareem Poole, the Riverdragons leading rebounder last season, returned to haunt his former team Sunday night draining a 22-foot jumper as time expired and push the Roanoke Dazzle past Columbus in overtime, 106-104, at the Columbus Civic Center Sunday night.

"First of all it just feels good to get the win," said Poole. "It also feels good to get the win against my former team. I wish I could have come back to Columbus but things just didn't work out. I'm on a different team now but we're still family."

The Riverdragons trailed by 24 points at the break but rallied to out-score the Dazzle 55-33 in the second half and force their second overtime in two nights.

Four current Riverdragons played with Poole in Columbus during the 2001-02 season - Nate Johnson - who lead the Riverdragons comeback scoring 11 of his game-high 32 points in the fourth quarter.

Johnson was fouled on a 3-point attempt by Mike King with 5.5 seconds remaining in overtime and knocked down the resulting three free throws to even the game at 104-104. On the next Roanoke possession, Poole ended up with ball on the left wing and drilled his unlikely and dramatic jumper as time ran out.

The Dazzle, led by center Mikki Moore, dominated the first half, shooting 56.1% from the floor (23-of-46 FGA's) to take a 60-38 halftime lead. Moore, the first overall pick in the 2002 NBDL Draft, scored 10 of his 22 points – including two 3-pointers - in the second quarter. Moore, who scored a career-high 27 points Saturday night against Huntsville, has posted four straight 20-plus point performances.

The Dazzle were led by Cory Alexander with 25 points and Jamal Robinson added 22.

The Riverdragons Tang Hamilton had 26 points and 10 rebounds to post his league-high tenth double-double. Hamilton has double-doubles in six of his last seven games.

There is little rest for the Riverdragon weary. Columbus plays its third game in as many nights Monday against the Revelers at the Columbus Civic Center. The Dazzle are off until New Year's Day, when the Riverdragons make their fist trip of the season to the Roanoke Civic Center.

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