Hot second half lifts Austin over Tulsa
Published on December 28, 2005 under NBA G League (G League)
Austin Spurs News Release
AUSTIN, Texas, December 28, 2005 - The Austin Toros overcame a poor shooting first half to secure a 114-107 win against the Tulsa 66ers at the Austin Convention Center. The Toros, who trailed by nine points at the half, outscored the 66ers 67-51 the final two quarters for just their second home win of the season.
"We needed this game bad," said Toros guard Ramel Curry, whose 27 points was a season-high. "The coaches had been pressing us pretty bad the last couple of days about playing better at home. We came together and came out with the intensity that we needed to pick up a win."
Tulsa opened a seven point lead the first ten minutes of the game shooting a blistering 64.3 percent (9-of-14) from the field.
Austin had trouble finding the rim during the same span knocking down just seven of its first 20 shots (35 percent). But Toros forward Marcus Fizer helped Austin to remain close by going 5-of-5 for 11 points in the first quarter.
In the second quarter, Tulsa used some hot shooting from beyond the three-point arch to build their lead to 13 points (51-38) with a little more than two minutes left to play. Tulsa recorded 61.5 percent from the field and held complete control of the game until midway through the third quarter when Curry knocked down back-to-back three pointers to give the Toros their first lead at 72-70.
Austin would never relinquish the lead the rest of the way as Tulsa committed 27 turnovers to help Austin hold on to the lead.
"You'll never beat a team this good committing that many turnovers," said Tulsa head coach Joey Meyer. "Also, we gave them 19 offensive rebounds. Any time you give a team that many second chances, it's going to be hard to win."
Lucas (4-of-4) and Ersan Illyasova (3-of-3) spearheaded the long-range assault by the 66ers going a combined 7-of-7 from the three-point line in the fist half.
Austin (3-6) shooting guard Ramel Curry led the way for the Toros with 27 points on 9-of-16 shooting. Marcus Fizer chipped in with 25 points and ten rebounds while Ezra Williams added 18 points.
Tulsa was paced by John Lucas' 30 points on 6-of-6 from beyond the three-point line. Torraye Braggs added 20 points on 6-of-8 shooting.
The Toros and the 66ers will meet again Friday, December 30 at the Austin Convention Center. Tip off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. (CST).
NBA G League Stories from December 28, 2005
- Hot second half lifts Austin over Tulsa - Austin Spurs
- Dazzle Extinguish the Flame to Take a 111-103 Victory - Roanoke Dazzle
- Timberwolves Fire Up Flame's Center - Florida Flame
- NBA D-League Daily Developments - G League
- Flyers Fall to 66ers - Fort Worth Flyers
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