Patriots lose home opener
November 22, 2003 - NBA G League (G League)
Fayetteville Patriots News Release
The Patriots began the 2003-2004 season by unveiling their regular-season championship banner. Unfortunately, they ended Saturday's home opener against Roanoke the same they ended last season. A dismal fourth quarter last season cost the Patriots the NBDL Championship. A dismal fourth quarter on Saturday cost the Patriots their opener against the Roanoke Dazzle, 97-90 at the Crown Coliseum.
The Patriots shot just 35 percent in the quarter and hit just six of their 13 free throws. The Dazzle meanwhile, shot 77 percent from the field and 77 percent from the line in the fourth.
"We played the same way at (the University of Maryland),'' said Roanoke coach Kent Davison. "We got down early, we started fumbling away opportunities on the fast break and missing open shots. Then all of sudden we got some momentum and took from there. We need to get that energy from the start."
Marque Perry led the Dazzle with 21 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds. George Williams added 16 points, nine rebounds and four assists for the 1-0 Dazzle. Bryan Lucas â 20 points and seven rebounds led the Patriots. Jason Collier added 12 points and six rebounds for Fayetteville (0-1), despite getting into foul trouble.
"We were really trying to buy some time when Jason got into foul trouble,'' Patriots coach Jeff Capel said. "Defensively, we needed him on the floor more than 23 minutes. We also have to do a better job of getting him better looks."
It was Collier and Fayetteville native Greg Stevenson who got the Patriots off early.. Collier had eight points and five rebounds in the first half, while Stevenson scored 12 first-half points to put the Patriots up by as many as 11 in the first half.
The Patriots lead was seven early in the fourth quarter before the Dazzle went on 7-0 run capped off by a Mikki Moore jumper that tied the game. The game stayed tight until Perry tossed a lob pass to Williams for a dunk that sparked an 8-2 run, which gave Roanoke a 93-84 lead with less than a minute remaining.
"I thought Marque and George played well, tonight,'' Davison said. "(Perry) wasn't even a point guard until he turned pro. You couldn't tell it tonight. He made great decisions with the ball and he hit some key jump shots."
The Patriots play at home against the Charleston Lowgators at 7:30 p.m., Saturday. The Dazzle go on the road to play the Lowgators on Friday.
NBA G League Stories from November 22, 2003
- Patriots lose home opener - Fayetteville Patriots
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