Maine Wins First Game In Franchise History
November 28, 2009 - NBA G League (G League)
Dakota Wizards News Release
BISMARCK, ND - The Maine Red Claws won their first ever game in franchise history, spoiling the home opener for the Dakota Wizards Saturday night in Bismarck with a 107-97 victory.
After three quarters of back and forth play, the Red Claws trailed the Wizards 76-75. In the middle of the fourth quarter, the Red Claws went on a 14-0 run that brought them back from trailing 94-93 with 4:45 left in the fourth quarter to leading 104-94 with :53 seconds left in regulation.
Maine was led by the veteran play of Billy Thomas, who scored 18 points, majority coming from 4-for-5 3-point shooting coming down the stretch. Thomas also played great defense on Dakota's David Bell, picking up three steals and holding Bell to 13 points. NBA-assignee Bill Walker scored 19 and veteran Tony Bobbitt dumped in 18 to take on the majority of the scoring load for the Red Claws.
For the Wizards, first-round draft pick Curtis Withers picked up a double-double, scoring 22 points and snaring 10 rebounds to lead the Wizards in both categories.
Dakota will attempt to pick up their first win of the season Sunday against the visiting Sioux Falls Skyforce while the Red Claws will go home to Maine to host the Springfield Armor Friday, Dec. 4.
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