Farmer Too Much for Toros
Published on February 26, 2006 under NBA G League (G League)
Austin Spurs News Release
AUSTIN, TEXAS, Feb. 26, 2006 -- Desmon Farmer scored 25 points and connected on seven three pointers as the Tulsa 66ers (14-19) defeated the Austin Toros 109-102 Sunday afternoon in front of an announced crowd of 2,639 at the Convention Center. The 66ers withstood a furious rally by the Toros in the closing minutes of the game but were unable to contain Farmer, who recorded four of his seven threes in the final quarter.
Trailing by as many as 13 in the fourth quarter, the Toros (20-13) gained momentum behind a 17-5 run sparked by Julius Hodge's seven points. Hodge capped the run by banking a 25-footer from 3-point range. Marcus Fizer's free throw with 2:16 remaining brought the Toros within one point, but Tulsa immediately responded with a three pointer each by Farmer and John Lucas.
"This was a great game for Tulsa," Toros coach Dennis Johnson said. "It could have ended up as something that we could have used a stepping stone into March but unfortunately we didn't."
Farmer's seven three pointers was one short of the D-League season high of eight set earlier this season by Arkansas' Clay Tucker. Farmer's last 3-pointer came with 50 seconds remaining in the game off of a dribble penetration kick-out by Lucas.
"I would have like to end this month on a good note," Johnson said. "It doesn't matter if we go 8-2 or 9-1; it's just hard to lose games."
Scott Merrit's nine points and five rebounds in the first quarter helped the Toros establish an early six point lead at 26-20 heading into the second. Austin pushed the lead to as many as 10 points before the 66ers made a rally. Tulsa forward Eddie Basden helped keep the game within reach with nine points in the quarter on 4-of-6 shooting from field. Lucas scored five points in the last minute of the quarter to take a 49-45 deficit to the locker room.
Early in the third quarter the Toros regained their ten point lead after a Ramel Curry jump shot going up 55-45 with 10:15 remaining. Once again refusing to let the Toros to close out the game, Tulsa responded to the deficit with a 32-12 run to close out the third quarter. Otis George's nine points, five rebounds and Lucas' eight points and four assists allowed the 66ers to gain the momentum they needed to take back the lead from the Toros. Farmer's third three pointer of the night in the last minute of the quarter pushed the 66ers lead to 11 as Tulsa headed into the final stanza with a 77-67 advantage.
Austin guard Ramel Curry was injured with 4:15 remaining in the third quarter after a collision following a Tulsa steal and had to be helped off the court by teammates. Curry never returned to the game and finished the night with 17 points on 8-of-12 shooting.
"It's hard to win a ball game with Fizer and Curry both on the bench when they are your leading scorers," Johnson said.
NBA G League Stories from February 26, 2006
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