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Dragons Use Strong Second Half Push To Earn Eighth Straight Victory

December 26, 2004 - NBA G League (G League)
Columbus Riverdragons News Release


COLUMBUS, GA — Reed Rawlings and Obinna Ekezie both poured in a team-high 18 points, and five Riverdragons scored in double figures as Columbus pulled away in the second half for a 101-76 win over the Florida Flame at the Columbus Civic Center on Sunday. The Dragons (10-1) outscored Florida 53-37 in the second half and held the Flame to 33% shooting from the floor to claim their eighth straight victory and seventh in a row at home to open the season. With the loss, Florida dropped its ninth straight game to fall to 1-9 overall.

For the sixth straight game, Columbus held its opponent under 40% shooting from the field. The Flame connected on just 27 of 82 from the floor and also struggled from the foul line, hitting only 21 of their 40 attempts.

For the second time in the last three games, the Riverdragons bench outscored the starters, with the reserves accounting for 53 of the Dragons 101 points. Along with Ekezie's contribution, Adam Harrington tallied 17 points, while Jeff Myers and Seth Doliboa notched 10 and eight points, respectively. Ricky Minard scored in double figures for the eleventh straight game, notching 11 points with five rebounds.

For the third straight game Columbus struggled out of the gate, but a late first quarter rally provided the Dragons some momentum. Down one point, at 15-14 with 5:12 to play in the period, a Minard lay-up jumpstarted a Riverdragons 13-4 run over the final five minutes of the period, giving Columbus a 27-19 lead heading into the second quarter.

Rawlings found his offensive game in the second quarter with eight points in the period, but Florida's Kevin Braswell answered with seven of his own to keep the Flame within striking distance. A pair of Hiram Fuller free throws pulled Florida within two points, 36-34, with 4:38 left, but again Columbus had an answer. Rawlings had six points in a 12-5 spurt in the remaining four and a half minutes as the Dragons boosted their advantage back to nine, 48-39, at the break.

A Scott Merritt lay-in gave Columbus a 50-40 lead with 11:26 to go in the third quarter, but Florida responded with 9-4 run over the next 4:10, as Fuller's three-point play with 7:16 on the clock brought the Flame within five at 54-49. That's where Columbus began its final push. Harrington connected on two long distance jumpers and a lay-in to key a Dragons 15-5 spurt to end the quarter and give Columbus a 15-point lead, at 69-54, heading into the fourth.

Myers and Ekezie combined for 16 points and Columbus built the advantage to as many as 25 points in the fourth quarter. Florida shot just 29% from the field (7-24) in the final period and saw Columbus reel off 11 fast break points in the quarter to put the game away.

Florida placed three players in double figures led by a game-high 19 points with 10 rebounds from Fuller for his first double-double of the season. Braswell finished with 18 points, while Kirk Haston notched 16 points and nine rebounds in the loss.

The Riverdragons return to action this Thursday, December 30 on the road at the Crown Coliseum against the Fayetteville Patriots at 6:00 p.m. EST. Florida returns to action on January 1, with a 6:00 p.m. EST tip-off back at the Civic Center versus Columbus. For more information, log onto nbdl.com.

##RIVERDRAGONS—LET'S GET IT STARTED!!##

This year more than 300 players and coaches in the NBA and WNBA will celebrate the "Season of Giving" by participating in over 70 charitable events and activities worldwide. From everyone at the NBA...Have a happy holidays!



NBA G League Stories from December 26, 2004


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