MVP Brown Gets Patriots Back On Winning Track
Published on March 21, 2003 under NBA G League (G League)
Fayetteville Patriots News Release
Devin Brown received two shiny trophies before Friday night's game against Greenville and then went out and showed why the trophies belong to him.
Brown scored 32 points, including an NBDL 28 second-half points to lead the Fayetteville Patriots to a 100-81 win over the Greenville Groove.
Brown was named NBDL MVP and Rookie of the Year on Friday. He received both trophies before Friday's game, but didn't start because coach Capel awarded all of his reserves who have played such a key role in Fayetteville's success this season. Junie Sanders led the way for the new starters with 19 points. Terrell McIntyre, who missed his first start of the season, came off the bench to score 10 points, dish out 12 assists and earn seven steals.
"We've got a lot of weapons offensively,'' Patriots coach Jeff Capel said. "We're able to do so many things with the kin of talent we have on this team." But Brown gradually separated himself from the rest like he has all season. It looked like he was going to have a quiet night until Sanders left the game after he got hit in the nose.
Sanders did the bulk of the scoring with 17 points before leaving at the 9:36 mark of the third quarter. Brown came in and started his scoring barrage with a jump shot from the corner. He then hit a fade away jump shot in the lane. He capped his 16-point fourth quarter off by getting to line, hitting six straight free throws.
Despite Brown's outburst, the Groove had the cut the Patriots 10-point halftime lead to three by the beginning of the fourth quarter. The Patriots regained control of the game again by opening the fourth quarter on a 17-2 run capped off by a Watkins spin move on the baseline that led to a thunderous dunk, making the 4,026 people at the Crown Coliseum come to their feet.
"If we're going to win a championship, we're going to need our crowd,'' Capel said. "They were great tonight. We fed off them and they fed off us when we made some spectacular plays. It's a two-way street. We need them more though."
The Patriots open the playoffs on Tuesday with a 7:30 p.m. home game. The Groove lost its second straight on Friday and dropped to 21-28 on the season.
Soumaila Samake led the way for the Groove with 17 points and 14 rebounds. The Groove played without starters Billy Thomas and Kevin Lyde. Both players were out with knee injuries. Lyde's wide body was missed down low as the Patriots scored 62 points in the paint. Thomas' ball-handling was missed as the Groove committed 23 turnovers, 17 coming on Patriot steals.
"Fayetteville's been able to play two units all season. They're the only team that's been able to do that,'' Groove coach Tree Rollins said. "You've got to give Jeff credit, he's been able to get those guys to believe in two-unit system and they're willing to work hard for him. They're fresh coming down the stretch and that will help you win a lot of games."
Brown's 16-point third quarter matched the team record for points in a quarter. Brown scored more than 20 points for the 15th time this season.
"He made me feel good,'' Brown said about winning MVP and Rookie of the Year. "But I'm not going to take all the credit. All I wanted to do is get my name out there. I was just trying to play my game."
NBA G League Stories from March 21, 2003
- Mobile Wins in Double OT at Huntsville - Huntsville Flight
- MVP Brown Gets Patriots Back On Winning Track - Fayetteville Patriots
- North Charleston Acquires Gray - G League
- Devin Brown Named NBDL MVP - G League
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