Patriots surrender another fourth quarter lead
December 22, 2005 - NBA G League (G League)
Fayetteville Patriots News Release
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C., December 22 - The Fayetteville Patriots rode a strong performance by center Rod Riley to a five-point lead with just over seven minutes remaining, only to allow the Florida Flame to rally for a 106-95 win in NBA D-League action Thursday night at the Crown Coliseum in Fayetteville. Florida leads the league at 7-2. The Patriots' seventh loss in a row leaves them at 2-9.
"It's pretty simple really," said Patriots assistant coach Casey Owens. "We're a team that's in search of its identity. Playing 45 minutes of good basketball does nothing but get you beat."
Owens filled in for head coach Mike Brown, who was stranded in New York because of the on-going transit strike.
Riley piled up 11 first-quarter points as Fayetteville built an early lead. But Florida rebounded and tied the game by the end of the period. Theron Smith kept the Flame in the game and they trailed at the break by just a point.
In the third quarter, Kaniel Dickens was the main spark, pouring in 13 points as the Patriots staked a four-point lead entering the final stanza. By the midway point of the fourth, Fayetteville led by five. But the Patriots managed just three points in the final 6:16 while Andre Barrett scored nine to lead a 20-4 game-closing run.
Riley finished with 25 to lead the Patriots. Dickens added 20 and Norm Richardson scored 19.
Barrett's 26 led the Flame. Bracey Wright added 19, while Smith and Austin Nichols scored 16 each.
"We have to come together as a coaching staff and find the players that know what it takes to put together a complete game," Owens said. "Key turnovers, we can't get the ball in bounds, bad shot selection -- I don't think it's X's and O's. Maybe we just need to leave our veterans on the floor a little longer. We're definitely not happy."
The teams play again at the Crown Coliseum on Friday, Dec. 30 and Saturday, Dec. 31.
The D-League offers players the opportunity to develop their talent in a highly competitive atmosphere under the NBA's umbrella. Thirty-four (34) players have been called up to the NBA on 50 separate occasions. Ten (10) former D-League coaches, five athletic trainers, 11 referees and 30 front office executives have also been called up since the start of the league's inaugural season in November of 2001.and
Designed to help grow the sport of basketball both domestically and internationally, the league also offers fun, family entertainment at affordable prices. The D-League is a source of on-court talent for the NBA's 30 teams and is a diverse human resources pool for the NBA and its teams by training employees in management, operations, public relations, sales and marketing positions.
For more information on the Patriots or the NBA D-League, visit fayettevillepatriots.com or call (910) 213-1005.
NBA G League Stories from December 22, 2005
- Patriots surrender another fourth quarter lead - Fayetteville Patriots
- NBA D-League Daily Developments - G League
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