Johnson Scores 25 to Lead Columbus to 70-67 Win
Published on February 15, 2003 under NBA G League (G League)
Huntsville Flight News Release
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (Feb. 15, 2002) â Nate Johnson scored a game-high 25 points and Tang Hamilton added 16, including the go-ahead basket with 2:36 to play, as Columbus rallied in the second half to post a 70-67 NBDL victory over Huntsville here Saturday afternoon.
The Riverdragons (16-18) snapped a three-game losing streak as they rallied from a 11-point first-half deficit in the contest.
"It was a typical hard fought game between us and Huntsville," Riverdragons coach Jeff Malone said, as his team won for the third time in five tries in Huntsville this season. "This is what we come to expect when we come up here. We needed this win and we've had our share of tough losses -- so to get this one was sweet. Hopefully this can be a momentum changer for us and swing us into the playoffs."
Columbus led 52-50 heading into the final quarter and the remainder of the contest stayed close. No team led by more than four points â the Flight at 58-54 with 6:40 left â and there were four ties and two lead changes down the stretch.
The last lead change came with 2:36 to play as Hamilton hit a 3-foot jumper to put the Riverdragons up for good at 62-61.
Johnson hit a pair of free throws 29 seconds later to push advantage to three and Hamilton hit a pair of close-range buckets while Nate Green converted two foul shots in the final 1:05 to answer the Flight rally.
"We have to be able to make plays if we're going to win and tonight we dug ourselves a hole," Flight head coach Ralph Lewis said. "We let them get tip-ins, rebounds and three pointers and those big plays did us in. We are struggling mentally and fundamentally and these are the areas we need to correct if were going to make a playoff run."
Huntsville (17-20) tied its season-long losing streak at four games as they also dropped their third straight at home. Jermaine Walker, making his third straight start, led the Flight with 13 points, while Lonnie Harrell added 12 and Bakari Hendrix tallied 10.
Both teams misfired from long range as Columbus went 0-for-7 from 3-point range, while the Flight went 0-for-15 beyond the arc.
NBA G League Stories from February 15, 2003
- Lowgators Outmuscle Revelers - Charleston Lowgators
- Johnson Scores 25 to Lead Columbus to 70-67 Win - Huntsville Flight
- Groove Sets Season High for Points in Win over Dazzle - Greenville Groove
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