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Flyers Survive Toros' Late Rally in 113-109 Victory

March 24, 2007 - NBA G League (G League)
Fort Worth Flyers News Release


FORT WORTH, Texas - The Fort Worth Flyers avoided a repeat, built a 25-point lead and withstood a comeback by the Austin Toros at the convention center tonight. Despite a tied game with a bit more than two minutes remaining, the Flyers stampeded over the Toros, 113-109.

Fort Worth began the game with eight straight points, and held the Toros scoreless until the 7:14 mark. The Flyers achieved their first double-digit lead of the game, 14-2, after guard Kevin Burleson buried a three-pointer. Center Deji Akindele gave Fort Worth its largest lead of the quarter, 18-4, after a dunk with 4:25 to go. The Flyers shot 50 percent for the quarter and held Austin to 30 percent. Fort Worth led after one quarter, 26-12.

In the second period, Fort Worth never allowed less than a three-possession game, and built a lead that climbed to 22. The home team continued to shoot 50 percent. Forward Terrance Thomas notched 13 points and six rebounds in the second quarter alone. The teams left the floor with Fort Worth leading 59-38.

In the third quarter, the Flyers' lead ascended to 25 and then dissolved to six, and they were outscored 35-20. Forward Jeremy Richardson kept his team alive by hitting four-of-five shots. Despite the breakdown, Fort Worth still had the 79-73 advantage at the buzzer, but Moncrief said in that period, Austin wanted the win more than the Flyers.

"[Austin] made shots - we got bogged down with offense," head coach Sidney Moncrief said. "We didn't execute as well. They were able to get back into the game."

In the fourth quarter, Fort Worth continued to surrender the lead, and Austin tied the game twice, the latest at the 2:18 mark. However, Burleson immediately struck a three-pointer to put the Flyers up 101-98. The teams continued to duke it out until the end of the game, when forward Anthony Terrell dunked to ice the cake, 113-109.

"They should not have made that kind of run," Moncrief said. "Teams will always make a run at you, especially when they're down by 20 so early in the game."

Moncrief said a run by Austin was always a concern of his, and he wanted to keep it in a 10-point range.

"Give Austin credit," he said. "They started making plays and making shots. They jumped us down the stretch, but we were able to make plays and play good defense and win the ball game.'

Richardson said he was looking forward to playing the same team again, since he thought the Flyers should have won Friday night's competition. He also said had the team not played again tomorrow, they would have been hard at work practicing.

"Its going to be tough, but we work hard all the time," he said. "This was a really important win. We feel like we're the best team in the division."

Richardson led the Flyers with 22 points, plus three rebounds and two assists. Thomas notched 17 points in the game, plus 12 boards and two assists. Forward Ndubi Ebi added 15 points, six rebounds, one block and a steal.

Fort Worth improves to 25-16 and Austin falls to 18-23. The teams will meet once again on Sunday at the Austin Convention Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 3 p.m.

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