Groove Beats Flight 76-73
March 1, 2003 - NBA G League (G League)
Huntsville Flight News Release
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (Mar. 1, 2003) The Greenville Groove had to find something within themselves Saturday against the Huntsville Flight after dropping a double-overtime decision at home the previous night.
That is exactly what the Groove did as they defeated the home-standing Flight 76-73 at the Von Braun Center in front of 4,390. The win snapped a two-game losing streak for Greenville as they improved to 18-22 on the season.
"Our guys were really tired because we didnt get in (to Huntsville) until 6 this morning," Groove coach Tree Rollins said. "As a player and a coach I know that being tired forces you to concentrate and slowdown. We didnt have our legs, so it forced us to take it to the hole. Funny thing, though, is our tired legs forced us to play the game the way I want them to play."
Billy Thomas led three Groove players in double figures with 13 points while Kevin Lyde added 11 and Fred Williams 10. Donald Hand added seven points while dishing out nine assists and recording five steals.
The Groove trailed starting the fourth quarter 59-56, but outscored the Flight 6-3 to tie the game at 62 with 8 minutes remaining. Tory Walker and Fred Williams then put Greenville up for good with consecutive putback dunks and the visitors did not trail for the remainder of the game.
The Flight (18-24) did cut the score to 74-73 on an Ike Nwankwo jumper with 1:13 to play, but Greenville tallied two of three free throws in the final minute to seal the victory.
For the game, the Groove hit 25-of-33 foul shots for 75.8 percent, compared to the Flights 16-of-24 and 66.7 percent.
The Flight was led by Lonnie Harrell with a game-high 16 points, while Jermaine Walker tallied 13 and A.J. Guyton 10.
"We know this team likes to take it to the basket and really plays tough on defense as well as go after rebounds," Flight coach Ralph Lewis said. "And they were able to do what they wanted to do."
The Groove also won the battle of the boards, outrebounding Huntsville 36-32 in the contest.
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