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Flyers Defeat Jam

January 31, 2007 - NBA G League (G League)
Fort Worth Flyers News Release


FORT WORTH, Texas, January 31, 2007 - The Fort Worth Flyers conquered a first quarter shortage to defeat the Bakersfield Jam 124-116. With the win, head coach Sidney Moncrief will lead the Eastern Division Development League squad for the inaugural D-League All-Star Game on February 17 in Las Vegas.

In the first quarter, the Jam went up by nine points with 5:42 remaining, but Fort Worth acted quickly to erase the deficit. A jump shot by forward Chris Copeland gave the Flyers their first lead of the evening, 24-23, with 2:10 left in the first. Bakersfield prevailed, however, and held the 36-31 lead at the end of the period.

"I had to go to my bench early," Moncrief said. "I wasn't pleased with the effort of my starters, and I thought the bench - the five guys I put in the game - reenergized the team and they got us back refocused on our defense and they played a big role."

In the intense second quarter, the teams battled as the Flyers endeavored to overcome a two-point deficit plaguing them for a great chunk of the period. After six ties, and with 4:48 remaining, guard Jose Barea nailed a three pointer to give Fort Worth its first lead of the period, 55-54. A subsequent lay-up by Barea and a lay-in by Copeland secured the Flyers with their largest lead of the game thus far, 59-54 with 3:51 to go. Bakersfield scraped to overcome the discrepancy, and despite a stunning, buzzer-beating three-pointer by Barea, the Jam led at the half, 66-65.

"I didn't like the amount of points [Bakersfield] scored," Moncrief said. "But we maintained our confidence and we got the lead, we kept pushing, we kept the pressure on - that's how we wanted to play."

The Flyers began to separate themselves from a close game in the third quarter. After a hook shot by center Deji Akindele with 9:43 to go, the team went up 71-70. From there, it was smooth sailing until the end. The Flyers piled on points and led 102-89 at the end of the quarter. Barea drained another three-pointer at the buzzer, his fourth of the night.

In the fourth quarter, Fort Worth maintained a double-digit lead until 2:08 was remaining when Bakersfield came within 120-111. But it was too little, too late as the Flyers knocked off the Jam for their third victory of a five-game home stand.

Barea led six players in double figures with 25 points, eight assists and three rebounds. Forward Terrance Thomas notched ten each of points and rebounds, plus two steals. Akindele boasted a double-double from the bench with 24 points, 13 rebounds and two blocks.

For the Jam, guard Gerry McNamara had 35 points, six assists and two rebounds. Forward Kevinn Pinkney had 21 points, eight rebounds and three assists, and forward Roderick Riley had 10 points, six rebounds and two assists.

Moncrief said with eight games under his belt, Barea has helped the ball club and himself by getting time in and playing against good competition.

The Flyers will clash with the Arkansas RimRockers on Friday; tipoff is set for 7 p.m. The Jam will stay in Texas to play the Austin Toros on Friday at the Austin Convention Center at 7:30 p.m.



NBA G League Stories from January 31, 2007


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