FLIGHT STAY ALIVE IN PLAYOFF RACE
March 16, 2002 - NBA G League (G League)
Huntsville Flight News Release
HUNTSVILLE, ALA. (Mar. 16) --Jason Heide led Huntsville with his first double-double of the season â17 points and 11 reboundsâas the Flight defeated the visiting Columbus Riverdragons 83-70 today at the Von Braun Center. With the Flight's victory the Mobile Revelers magic number remains at two to clinch the fourth and final NBDL playoff spot. Gabe Muoneke came off the Riverdragons bench to lead the team with 15 points.
"Our big guys really stepped up," said Flight head coach Bob Thornton. "Jason [Heide] had a huge game. The guys were really frustrated by our performance against Asheville and with the result of the game against Greenville. We took all those frustrations out on Columbus."
Heide, Chris Robinson (16), Demetrius Porter (13), and Jason Dixon (2) all came off the bench and combined for 48 of the Flight's 83 points. Eric Chenowith was the lone starter to finish in double figures posting his ninth double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
The Flight (26-27) took a 15-12 lead at the 3:43 mark in the first quarter off a Chris Robinson 3-pointer and never looked back, extending its lead to as much as 20 points over the next 10 minutes of play. Columbus (29-24) responded with a 22-7 run over the next 10 minutes of play to pull within three (55-52) as their defense kept Huntsville scoreless for four minutes. The Flight missed eight jumpers and a pair of free throws during its third quarter draught.
The Riverdragons could get no closer than three as the Flight pulled away to a 62-55 lead at the end of the third period and continued to outscore them 21-15 in the fourth.
"We didn't come ready to play," said Columbus head coach Jeff Malone. "We are already in the playoffs so this game me a chance to look at different line-ups and also a good look at [John] Strickland. Huntsville played a good game and really earned this win."
Columbus guard Ray Tutt chipped in 12 points â10 in the third quarter comebackâ and six rebounds.
Both teams return to action on Monday, March 18. The Riverdragons host Mobile and the Flight take on North Charleston at the Von Braun Center at 3 p.m. on ESPN2.
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NBA G League Stories from March 16, 2002
- FLIGHT STAY ALIVE IN PLAYOFF RACE - Huntsville Flight
- LOWGATORS CLINCH NBDL PLAYOFF SPOT - Charleston Lowgators
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