Sports stats



Green's Shot Lifts Riverdragons over Lowgators

March 7, 2003 - NBA G League (G League)
Columbus Riverdragons News Release


COLUMBUS, Ga., (March 7) - Nate Green hit a clutch 10-foot jumper with 10.1 seconds to play in the fourth quarter as the Riverdragons claimed a critical 85-83 victory over N. Charleston in front of 2,271 at the Columbus Civic Center in NBDL action Friday night.

"They were missing probably the best point guard in the league in Tierre Brown," said Green. "I tried to exploit that weakness. If we had dropped this game tonight it would have taken the wind out of our sails for our playoff hopes."

On Monday, Lowgators guard Tierre Brown became the tenth NBDL to NBA call-up this season. Green, the Lowgators starting point guard for most of last season, finished with 18 points and four assists.

Green's bucket broke a 83-83 deadlock to notch the Riverdragons (20-23) seventh victory in nine meetings with the second-place Lowgators (23-21) this season.

A see-saw battle that saw 18 lead changes, tonight's contest marked the sixth time this season in which a game between the Riverdragons and Lowgators was decided either in overtime or by three points or less.

Corey Benjamin hit a long jumper to tie the game at 81-81 with 1:19 remaining. Following two free throws by Nate Green, Benjamin tied the score back up with a ferocious slam dunk with 30.9 seconds left. Green hit his eventual game-winner on the Riverdragons next possession.

The win keeps the Riverdragons playoff hopes alive with seven games remaining in their 2002-03 NBDL campaign. Columbus entered tonight's game 2.0 games out of the fourth and final playoff spot.

Columbus heads to Fayetteville to face the first-place Patriots this Saturday night at the Crown Coliseum followed by a trip to Mobile to face the Revelers on Tuesday.

"We've still got to keep going," said Riverdragons head coach Jeff Malone. "We need two wins on this road trip or at least come out with a split. It would really hurt us if we lose both of these games. They're going to be tough games. They're two of the best teams in the league, Fayetteville and Mobile. But we've got to find a way, at worst, to come out with a split."

Nate Johnson led all scorers with 23 points on 9-of-15 shooting. Johnson, the league's leading scorer, has led the Riverdragons in scoring and posted a 20-plus point performance in each of his last seven games.

Alpha Bangura came off the bench to lead Lowgators with 22 points over 28 minutes of action. Corey Benjamin added 18 points - also in a reserve role. Damone Brown led the Lowgators starters with 18 points and pitched in seven rebounds.

The Lowgators return to the court Tuesday to host the Huntsville Flight at the N. Charleston Coliseum.



NBA G League Stories from March 7, 2003


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central