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RimRockers lose to Flame

April 2, 2006 - NBA G League (G League)
Arkansas RimRockers News Release


Little Rock, Arkansas April 2 - In a game that came down to the final minute of play, the Florida Flame (24-22) defeated the Arkansas RimRockers (24-23) at Alltel Arena by a score of 102-97.

The RimRockers were competing for the rights to a third place tie with the Roanoke Dazzle while the Flame were fighting for the forth and final place for a spot in this year's play-offs. With the loss, the RimRockers are now tied for forth place with the Austin Toros, with one game remaining in their season.

The tempers heated up on both sides throughout the game. Florida Flame head coach Jeff Malone received a personal technical foul and player Austin Nichols received both a personal and flagrant technical. The RimRockers, receiving 25 personal fouls, were not without fault either.

Both clubs struggled from the field early in the game, with Florida converting on only 40 percent from the field and Arkansas even less at 38.1 percent. Neither team received a spark from the bench and the first quarter of play ended with the RimRockers trailing 20-24. The RimRockers were unable to improve their shooting and mid-way through the second quarter, the Flame pulled away by as many as 16 points. Florida outscored Arkansas 33-23 in the second quarter.

By half-time, all but one Flame player had contributed at least five or more points. Nichols and Bracey Wright lit up the field for the Flame, scoring 14 and 12 points respectively in the half. Although Brian Jackson led the first half in rebounding with 6 boards, the Flame as a whole out-rebounded the RimRockers 25-16. At the end of the first half, the Flame led 57-43.

"We just didn't have the energy level," RimRockers head coach Andy Stoglin said. "I had to go with the five guys who had the most energy. We played a lot with five guards, so we had to do a lot of trapping and tossing the ball to the open guy."

The RimRockers came back from the break looking just as chilly, going 6 for 22 from the field. During the third period, the Flame showed flashes of the team they were when they controlled first place for a majority of the 2005-06 season. The biggest lead of the game came in the third when the Flame pulled away by 21 and ended the quarter leading 73-58.

The turning point in the ball game came in the fourth when Clay Tucker stole the ball from Nichols and broke away for an easy lay-up. Olu Famutimi followed with a slam dunk as the RimRockers turned up a little heat of their own. The RimRockers fought back to pull within two points of the Flame, but in the final minute, Florida proved to be too hot for the RimRockers.

"Players at this level have to be able to get themselves mentally ready," Stoglin said. "Our guys have a lot to learn about that. They've got to get tougher in situations that come down to the final shot, especially when we are behind."

Clay Tucker led all scorers with 25 points and Brian Jackson followed up with a double-double adding 11 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. Bracey Wright led the Flame with 23 points while teammates Nichols (20 points, 13 rebounds) and Lenny Stokes (14 points, 11 rebounds) finished with double-doubles.

The RimRockers play their final regular season game at Alltel Arena on April 6 against the Albuquerque Thunderbirds. Tip-off is set for 7:30 with doors opening at 6:30 p.m.

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