Patriots inch closer to NBDL regular-season crown
Published on February 20, 2003 under NBA G League (G League)
Fayetteville Patriots News Release
Everything about the Fayetteville Patriots, from their shooting percentage to their red jerseys, signifies red-hot. The Patriots won their eighth straight game and improve their lead in the NBDL standings to 4 ½ games with a convincing 112-86 win over the Roanoke Dazzle. The 26-point win in the last margin of victory in Patriots history.
The Patriots exceeded the 100-point mark the fourth time in six meetings with the Roanoke Dazzle. In their last six matchups with the Dazzle, the Patriots are averaging 105 points.
Junie Sanders had a career game, scoring a season-high 27 points and dishing out four assists in 28 minutes of action. Sanders' extra minutes were due in part to Jason Capel missing Thursday's game because of an illness.
"Junie is just amazing,'' Patriots coach Jeff Capel said. "When Junie gets it going he doesn't let up; he is just as good a scorer as anyone. There is just something about those lefties."
Sanders' sizzling shooting started in the second quarter when he scored 12 points including, three 3-pointers in a three minute span as the Patriots opened up a 40-24 lead. Sanders finished with 16 points for the quarter, tying a Patriots record for points scored in a quarter. Former Fayetteville Patriot Darrell Johns would get the Dazzle back into the game before the half, however.
Johns scored seven points during a 14-5 Dazzle run that pulled Roanoke to within five seven at the half. But with help of teammate Terrell McIntyre, Sanders would again put distance between the Patriots and the Dazzle. McIntyre scored 15 points in the third quarter, including three 3-pointers. The Patriots open the second quarter on a 22-8 in which McIntyre led the way 13 points during the run. Sanders finished off the quarter by scoring seven points in the final 2:36 of the quarter.
The Patriots shot 76.5 percent in the quarter, breaking an NBDL record for field goal percentage in a quarter. They also broke a team record for points in a quarter with 38.
"It's hard to explain,'' McIntyre said. "You just feel like everything you throw up is going in no matter what."
The Patriots blew a 23-point lead earlier this season to the Dazzle. But this time the Dazzle had no answers for the Patriots hot shooting. Fayetteville ended the night shooting 57 percent from the floor and were 10-for-18 from 3-point range.
"We have had a problem finishing games at home this season," Sanders said. "It felt really good to just come out and finish one the way we should."
Mikki Moore led the Dazzle with 21 points on 9-for-15 shooting. Johns added 13 points and six rebounds from off the bench. The Dazzle fall to 17-18 on the season and find themselves a game ahead of Greenville for the fourth and final playoff spot.
"They just played much better than we did. That's what happens when you get on a roll,'' said Roanoke coach Kent Davison. "They're by far the best team I've seen in this league. That's why they're at the top."
Roanoke will host Huntsville on Saturday, while the Patriots will host Columbus.
NBA G League Stories from February 20, 2003
- Patriots inch closer to NBDL regular-season crown - Fayetteville Patriots
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