Flyers Soar in 92-81 Victory over 66ers

Published on March 13, 2007 under NBA G League (G League)
Fort Worth Flyers News Release


FORT WORTH, Texas, March 13, 2007 - The Fort Worth Flyers endured a relentless Tulsa 66ers team, but survived to claim a 92-81 victory, despite falling behind in the fourth quarter. Fort Worth now leads the season series, 4-0 with two games still remaining.

In the first quarter, Fort Worth rattled off seven straight points, and built a 16-5 lead with 6:35 to go. Despite a surge by the 66ers, they couldn't overcome the Flyers' success. Fort Worth shot 47 percent in the first period, and held Tulsa to 41 percent. In addition, the Flyers collected 13 boards and four steals. The period ended with the Flyers leading 33-16.

In the second quarter, Fort Worth continued to build a comfortable lead. Forward Ndubi Ebi had eight of his 23 points in the quarter, and guard Curtis Stinson, making his Flyers' debut, dished out four of his ten assists. The 66ers made a push late in the half, but the Flyers still led 43-33 at the buzzer.

In the third quarter, Tulsa whittled its disadvantage, but come only within three points. Most of the 66ers' points came from three-pointers, as they buried five in the third period alone. Despite being outscored in a quarter for the first time in the game, Fort Worth still clung to a 67-62 lead heading into the final frame.

With 9:02 to go in the fourth, Tulsa took its first lead of the game, 72-69, after a series of free throws. The home team quickly regained the advantage after jump shots by Ebi and forward Jeremy Richardson. It anchored a 11-0 run by the Flyers, who survived a comeback by Tulsa, which came as close as 80-78 with 4:00 to go.

Head coach Sidney Moncrief said the Flyers got back into the game with its defense.

"I thought in the third quarter, [Tulsa] got a lot of penetration off our defense, and made some tough three-point shots," he said. "That gave them a spurt - a 29-point third quarter."

Moncrief said the Flyers prevailed in the fourth, after making shots, settling down and making extra shots.

Ebi finished with five boards and three steals, and Richardson added 15 points, five rebounds and two steals. Stinson and guard Kevin Burleson had 15 points apiece; Stinson had four boards while Burleson had five.

Moncrief said Stinson was a key to the game.

"He can control tempo, he can make shots," Moncrief said. "He can get us into offense effectively and he can take Kevin [Burleson] off the basketball. He gives us one more shooter on the perimeter."

Tulsa continues its road trip with a pair of games in the Dakotas. First is a stop in Bismark, N.D. to play the Wizards on Sunday at the Bismark Convention Center. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. The 66ers will continue to Sioux Falls to take on the Skyforce on March 23 at the Sioux Falls Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.

The Flyers will hit the road for four games, all in California. They take on the Bakersfield Jam on Friday; tip-off is set for 9:30 p.m. The team will remain in the golden state to play the L.A. D-Fenders on Sunday, plus a pair of games against the Anaheim Arsenal.

Fort Worth improves to 21-14 and Tulsa falls to 17-22.



NBA G League Stories from March 13, 2007


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