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RimRockers tamed by Toros

November 26, 2005 - NBA G League (G League)
Arkansas RimRockers News Release


Little Rock, Arkansas November 25 - Before an opening night crowd of 4,172, the Arkansas RimRockers suffered a heartbreaking loss, (113-111) to the Austin Toros. Five-year NBA veteran Marcus Fizer led the Toros with 21 points and nine rebounds.

"We didn't play well," Head Coach Joe Harge said. "We had a chance to win. We need to correct mistakes and come out to play 48 minutes."

By the end of the first half, both teams were well on their way to reaching the century mark. The Toro's took the lead early and never looked back. Led by Scott Merritt's 10 points, the Toros cruised to an easy 9-point lead after the end of the first quarter. The second quarter mirrored the first with the RimRockers struggling against a powerful Toros' defense. The game took a turn in the RimRockers favor late in the second quarter when the RimRockers scored nine unanswered points against Austin. Ultimately, the Toros were able to hold off the RimRockers' scoring drive and left the court at the half-way mark leading 56-58.

Both teams emerged from the break with a renewed sense of competition. Every RimRockers point was answered with points from the Toros. The Toros came back from a two-point deficit to pull away to an 87-76 lead at the end of the third quarter. An emotional fourth quarter led the RimRockers to tie the Toros and then eclipse them in a lead before foul trouble and a crucial 113-111 game-winning shot settled the final outcome.

"You couldn't ask for a more exciting home-opener," Head Coach Dennis Johnson said. "We would steal it and dunk; then they would steal it and shoot a three. When we got in the [final] huddle, I said, ‘let's go for the win.' My guy nailed the shot. It was a great game; the RimRockers are fighters."

Six RimRockers players posted double figures. Clay Tucker led the RimRockers with 25 points followed by Pape Sow (21), Brandon Dean (20), Kareem Reid (16) and 10 points each for Olu Famutimi and Shawnson Johnson. The RimRockers shot 50.6 % on the night and had 39 total rebounds, but it wasn't enough to contain Austin.

While Fizer led the Toros in scoring, other outstanding plays by Endre Emmit and Derrick Zimmerman who had 20 points each.

The RimRockers travel to play Fort Worth, Sunday November 27 at the Fort Worth Convention Center at 3 p.m.

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