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Flyers Suffer First Home Loss

December 29, 2006 - NBA G League (G League)
Fort Worth Flyers News Release


FORT WORTH, Texas, December 29, 2006 - The Flyers reached a disappointing landmark on Friday, losing at home for the first time this season. The Idaho Stampede overwhelmed the Flyers 106-98 at the Fort Worth Convention Center.

In the first quarter, the Flyers shot brilliantly, nailing 12 of 19 shots. The team went up by double digits early when center Luke Schenscher tipped in the ball at 6:45 to go up 17-6. Every starter was on the board by the 3:32 mark when guard Kelenna Azubuike made two free throws to make the score

26-14. At the buzzer, Stampede guard Ronell Taylor made a three pointer, but his team couldn't overcome the 33-25 deficit.

Head coach Sidney Moncrief said he saw mental lapses and poor execution by the midpoint of the first quarter.

"I though offensively we became very selfish," he said. "We didn't pass the ball as much; we didn't look for the open player."

In the second quarter, the Flyers' defense held their opponent to 10-of-25 shooting and forced 7 turnovers. The home team's offense continued to flourish as the team went up by as much as 18 points, notched with 4:17 remaining. Thereafter, Idaho catapulted a 10-0 run which ended when guard Maurice Ager made two free throws with 2:24 to go. At the half, the Flyers were still ahead 61-48.

For the first two periods, the Flyers shot 56 percent and held Idaho to 47 percent. The Flyers also had seven steals, 10 assists and 23 rebounds.

In the third frame, the Stampede came as close as six points on two occasions. Flyers guard Kevin Burleson nailed two three-pointers in the quarter and added an assist. Fort Worth lost the comfort of a double-digit lead but was still up at the end of the third 87-78.

In the fourth quarter, the Stampede held Fort Worth scoreless for almost seven minutes. It allowed Idaho to lead for the first time, 92-91, with 5:44 remaining. Schenscher finally watered the drought at 3:46 to put the Flyers back up 93-92. Idaho roared back, however, for the 106-98 victory.

"We were pretty sporadic but we did play solid in stretches," Moncrief said. "We didn't play for 48 minutes. I was concerned at halftime, I told them a 13 or 11-point lead is nothing. [The Stampede] were able to come out and make a run."

Moncrief also said the Flyers' 26 turnovers, which Idaho converted to 28 points, was huge.

"We've been trying to address it with the players and make them realize that it's not how we win ball games," he said. "I felt tonight it finally caught up with us against a good team."

Ager led the Flyers with 21 points and added four each of rebounds and assists. Forward Pops Mensah-Bonsu had 10 rebounds and added 16 points, and Burleson notched six assists and 13 points.

For the Stampede, forward Jeff Graves led all scorers with 28 points, and added 17 rebounds and two blocks. Taylor notched seven rebounds and 19 points, and guard Randy Livingston had six assists and 13 points.

The Flyers drop to 8-3 while the Stampede improve to 6-7. The Flyers stay at home to play the Albuquerque Thunderbirds on Saturday at 7:30 at the Fort Worth Convention Center, and Idaho will continue its Texas road trip with a visit to Austin to play the Toros on Saturday at 6 p.m.



NBA G League Stories from December 29, 2006


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