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Flyers Second Half Defense Leads the Way In Win Over Flame

February 23, 2006 - NBA G League (G League)
Florida Flame News Release


ESTERO, Fla., February 23 - Strong defense and efficient offense have been key factors in the success of the Fort Worth Flyers during the 2005-06 NBA Development League season, and Thursday night was no different. Led by a suffocating defensive effort in the second half, the Flyers claimed sole possession of first place in the D-League standings with a 105-86 victory over the Florida Flame on Thursday night at Germain Arena.

For Fort Worth (21-12), the win was the fourth straight and 12th in the last 14 games overall. The Flyers also earned their third victory over the Flame in three meetings this season. Florida (20-13) suffered its third straight loss to fall out of first place for the first time since December.

Ndudi Ebi, in just his fifth NBA D-League game, registered his first double-double with a game-high 22 points and 11 rebounds. Theron Smith led the way for the Flame, posting his sixth double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds.

In the second half, Fort Worth limited the Flame to just 31 percent shooting from the floor (12-37) and outscored the hosts 53-33 to win it going away. The D-League's most efficient team averaging a league-low 15.8 turnovers per game, the Flyers committed only 10 turnovers in the game and just two in the second half. Fort Worth's bench was also a major factor as the Flyers' reserves outscored Florida's reserves 63-20.

The Flame played the contest without its head coach and top scorer. Head Coach Jeff Malone missed the game with an illness and leading scorer Bracey Wright, who entered this weekend's action averaging 21.8 points per game, was sidelined by a foot injury.

"It was tough on us to go without our head coach and leading scorer, but you can't minimize the great effort that Fort Worth put forth tonight," said Florida Assistant Coach Terry Thimlar. "It came down to who would respond in the second half and the Flyers took it to a whole new level while we just sat back and let them do what they wanted defensively."

Trailing 53-52 at halftime, Fort Worth opened the second half with a 19-8 run and never looked back. Aaron Miles, Ime Udoka, and Luke Schenscher combined for 12 points in the spurt that was capped off by two Udoka free throws, giving the Flyers a 71-61 lead with 3:47 to go in the third quarter.

Fort Worth put the game away with an 18-8 run to start the fourth quarter, as a Keith Langford's 18-foot jump shot pushed the Flyers advantage to a game-high 20 points at 94-74 with 6:16 remaining.

The Flyers finished with five players in double figures. Along with Ebi's game-high 22 points, Langford and Schenscher posted 16 points apiece, Miles notched 12, and Udoka scored 10 points in the victory.

Four players scored in double figures for Florida. Along with Smith's team-high 19 points, Lenny Stokes registered 17 points in his first start, Andre Barrett tallied 12, and Duane Erwin had 10 points in the loss.

The Flame and Flyers will round out their two-game set this Sunday, February 26 with a 5 p.m. ET/ 4 p.m. CT tip-off at Germain Arena.

For additional information, please visit floridaflame.com or contact Florida Flame Director of Media Relations, Tim Becwar at (239) 561-8130 and tbecwar@floridaflame.com. For additional information on the NBA Development League please visit NBADLEAGUE.com.

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