Huge second half lifts Altitude over Riverdragons

Published on March 6, 2005 under NBA G League (G League)
Asheville Altitude News Release


After scoring just 33 points in the first half, the Asheville Altitude exploded for 63 points in the final 24 minutes to knock off the Columbus Riverdragons 96-93 at the Civic Center.

"Needless to say, we had a much better second half today," said Altitude head coach Joey Meyer, whose team outscored the Riverdragons 63-49 in the second half.

Holding on to a slim three-point lead with 7.2 seconds left, Altitude guard Joe Forte stole the ball from Columbus before they could get a shot off to possibly send the game into overtime. Forte, Timmy Bowers and Ron Slay all finished with 17 points each to lead the Altitude (20-15). Tony Kitchings added 10 points and 11 rebounds.

Reed Rawlings paced Columbus (22-12) with a game-high 18 points. Derrick Zimmerman added eight assists to go with 12 points.

"I don't think we did anything in the first half to get good shots," added Meyer. "So in the second half, we made up our minds that we wanted to get out in transition. And that's why I juggled the lineup a little bit. I wanted to get a few more athletes and spacing on the floor."

After starting the game with Forte, Slay, Kitchings, Terrence Shannon and Lenny Stokes, Meyer started the second half with Cedric Suitt in place of Kitchings, Kirk Penney for Shannon and Bowers for Forte.

With a little more athleticism and shooters on the floor, Asheville erased an 11-point halftime deficit outscoring Columbus 35-17 in the third quarter. Coming off the bench, Forte spearheaded the Altitude's third quarter comeback scoring eight of his 17 points in just four minutes.

"I think he may have found his niche at the next level," Meyer said. "He was outstanding coming off the bench. He gave us scoring and defense when we really needed it."

After scoring 11 points in the first half to help keep Asheville close, Bowers nailed a huge runner in the lane to extend Asheville's lead back to four points (93-89) with 20 seconds left to play.

Penney and Forte combined to go 3-for-4 from the free throw line in the last 10 seconds of the game to help keep Columbus' rally at bay.

"We take a win anyway we can get it," Bowers said. "We picked up our intensity in the second half and came out as a much better team."

The Altitude will travel to Huntsville, Alabama to take on the Flight Saturday, March 12 beginning at 7:00 p.m. The Riverdragons will take on the Florida Flame Thursday, March 10 at Germain Arena beginning at 7:00 p.m.

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