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Nichols, Rowland Lead Flame Over Patriots, 99-90

March 7, 2006 - NBA G League (G League)
Florida Flame News Release


ESTERO, Fla., March 7 - After enduring a season-high five-game losing streak, the Florida Flame put an end to its free fall with a 99-90 win over the Fayetteville Patriots on Tuesday night at Germain Arena.

With the win, Florida (21-15) forged a virtual tie for second place in the NBA Development League standings with Austin (20-14), as both teams now trail Fort Worth (24-13) by two-and-a-half games for the D-League's top spot.

Playing without Bracey Wright and Theron Smith, the Flame received season-best performances from the backcourt tandem of Austin Nichols and E.J. Rowland to earn its seventh win in nine head-to-head meetings with Fayetteville this season.

Nichols hit 10-of-15 shots from the floor for a game-high 26 points, while Rowland barely missed a triple-double with 21 points, 13 assists and eight rebounds.

The loss dropped the Patriots to 8-25 overall and snapped Fayetteville's two-game winning streak. Mateen Cleaves posted a team-high 24 points for the Patriots, along with seven assists and three steals in the loss.

"I told our guys that we needed everything they had to win tonight, and Austin along with E.J. stepped up," said Flame Head Coach Jeff Malone. "Austin and E.J. had it going early and their play picked everyone else up. We're going to need that again this weekend as we go back to Fayetteville."

Nichols helped jumpstart Florida in the first half, tallying six points in the first quarter and 10 points in the second quarter as the Flame led by 10 at halftime, 54-44. Florida shot 57 percent from the field (24-42) over the first two quarters and outrebounded Fayetteville 21-10 in half to claim the advantage at the break.

The Patriots turned to Cleaves in the second half, as the NBA veteran and former Michigan State Spartan hit a three-pointer to pull Fayetteville within three, 72-69, with 57.5 seconds remaining in the third quarter. Cleaves would tally 12 points in the fourth quarter for a total of 17 points after halftime, but it would not be enough.

With their lead again cut to three points following two Patriots free throws from Alex Acker with 11:06 to go, the Flame received a boost from Nichols, Rowland, and Jonathan Moore, as the trio combined for 13 points in a Florida 15-5 run that upped the advantage to 91-78 with 5:22 left.

A Cleaves three-ball brought Fayetteville within five points, at 95-90 with 1:30 to play, but Duane Erwin and Austin Nichols hit four consecutive free throws in the final minute to seal the win for Florida.

Four players scored in double figures for the Flame. Along with Nichols' 26 points and Rowland's 21 points, Jonathan Moore posted 17, while Lenny Stokes registered 13 points in the victory.

Along with Cleaves' team-high 24 points, Erik Daniels registered 12 points in defeat for the Patriots.

The Flame and Patriots open up a two-game set this Thursday, March 9 with a 7:30 p.m. tip-off at the Crown Coliseum in Fayetteville.

For additional information, please visit floridaflame.com or contact Florida Flame Director of Media Relations, Tim Becwar at (239) 561-8130 and tbecwar@floridaflame.com. For additional information on the NBA Development League please visit NBADLEAGUE.com.



NBA G League Stories from March 7, 2006


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