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Flyers Outlast Thunderbirds

December 30, 2006 - NBA G League (G League)
Fort Worth Flyers News Release


FORT WORTH, TX - The Fort Worth Flyers put an end to their two-game losing streak Saturday night, beating the Albuquerque Thunderbirds 116-102 at the Fort Worth Convention Center.

In first quarter action, the Flyers shot with confidence, making 13 of 23 shots from the field. Every starter was on the board by the 4:44 mark, but only after center Luke Schenscher scored the Flyers' first 8 points. Forward Pops Mensah-Bonsu shot 4 for 7 from the field, scoring 9 points and adding 3 rebounds. Thunderbirds forward Dijon Thompson helped his team stay in contention scoring 8 points, but could not close in on the Flyers 31-19 lead.

In the second quarter, the Thunderbirds came within 8, but Flyers guard Kelenna Azubuike clinched a three-pointer at the midway point to push the lead to 11. Both teams shot close to 43 percent, but the Flyers held their ground and maintained a 5 point lead before the half.

Both teams traded baskets early in the third quarter, but the Thunderbirds found a second wind and lessened the Flyers lead to 57-52 at the 9:39 mark. Forward Jeremy Richardson made back to back buckets to give his team more momentum late in the third, but Coach Cooper's Thunderbirds fought back and knotted the score at 78 to end the third quarter.

In the fourth quarter, the Flyers came out with phenomenal offensive play, regaining a lead that remained for the rest of the game. Forward Kevin Burleson nailed a 3-pointer at the 3:30 mark to make the score 102-97. Mensah-Bonsu later slam dunked over all defenders bringing the lead to 11, and Schenscher's tip in with 30 seconds to go put the icing on the Flyers' victory.

Flyers head coach Sidney Moncrief attributes the win to consistent shooting and adjustments made from the previous night's game.

"We made better decisions offensively," he said. "The fourth quarter was better than last night's fourth quarter."

Moncrief also believes his decision to watch game video, in lieu of a pregame shootaround, helped the team correct their mistakes.

"This game was a huge win," he said. "We didn't want to disrupt the homestand with another loss."

The Flyers were led by Azubuike, who had 28 points and 6 assists. Forward Jeremy Richardson added 21 points, and Burleson had 17. Mensah-Bonsu led the team with 11 total rebounds.

Albuquerque's top performers were Thompson, who had 22 points, and center Duane Erwin, who had 16. Thompson led all players with 12 total rebounds.

With the win, the Flyers improve to 9-4 and Thunderbirds drop to 7-7. The Flyers were able to avenge their 2006 title game loss and increase their overall series lead to 6-5.

The Flyers continue their home slate when they face the Arkansas RimRockers on Friday, January 5 at 8 p.m., and the Thunderbirds will continue their Texas tour when they play the Austin Toros on January 5 as well.



NBA G League Stories from December 30, 2006


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