Patriots still on a mission despite regular-season title
March 8, 2003 - NBA G League (G League)
Fayetteville Patriots News Release
Fayetteville Patriots coach Jeff Capel and assistant Sam Worthen have toyed around with the idea of resting players and sitting players out longer so they can nurse injuries.
But all that's needed to change those thoughts is coaching a Fayetteville Patriots game. Saturday night put forth the perfect example. The Patriots didn't play, but pulled out a 93-80 win over the Columbus Riverdragons.
The win completes all the Fayetteville Patriots regular-season goals. The Patriots first clinched a playoff spot, they then clinched homecourt advantage throughout the playoffs and on Saturday they clinched the NBDL regular-season title. There is still a lot of work ahead, however.
"I've rested players in the past after we've clinched things and what usually happens is you come out rustier than a (1954) Ford,'' said Patriots coach Jeff Capel. "We're not going to change a thing. We saw last night against Mobile and tonight (against Columbus) that we still have a lot of work to do."
Bryan Lucas led the Patriots with 22 points and 10 rebounds and Junie Sanders finished with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Greg Stempin led the Riverdragons with 20 points. Eleven of those came in the first half as the Riverdragons took an early eight-point advantage.
Fayetteville was able to cut the halftime lead to two despite shooting a woeful 29 percent in the first half, while the Riverdragons shot 53 percent. The Riverdragons were on the short end of a 14-5 free throws made advantage by the Patriots in the first half.
It was a second half free throw that seemed to do the Riverdragons harm, however. Sean Peterson picked up a technical foul early in the fourth quarter with the Riverdragons leading 68-67. After Patriots guard Terrell McIntyre tied the game with the free throw, the Patriots would score 10 straight points to complete a 13-0 run that gave the Patriots a 78-68 with six minutes remaining.
The Riverdragons would miss five layups during the run. The Patriots meanwhile scored all their points during the run on layups and second-chance points and never led by less than eight points the rest of the way.
"We gave them to many easy baskets near the end and I don't think we executed very well,'' Columbus coach Jeff Malone said. "Their bench has been a big help to them all season and it certainly was a big help for them tonight."
The Patriots bench produced two double-doubles and has scored nearly 40 percent of the Patriots points all season. The Riverdragons move 2 ½ games behind fourth-place Roanoke for the final playoff spot. The Patriots move on to play possible-playoff opponent North Charleston on Tuesday.
"It feels good to win the regular-season straight out, but we're going to keep playing it out,'' Lucas said. "You don't get anything for finishing first in the regular season."
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NBA G League Stories from March 8, 2003
- Flight Falls At Roanoke Saturday 73-67 - Huntsville Flight
- Patriots still on a mission despite regular-season title - Fayetteville Patriots
- Asheville Pulls out Fourth Quarter Victory - Asheville Altitude
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