Riverdragons Break Spell in 92-79 Win Over Flight

Published on February 19, 2005 under NBA G League (G League)
Columbus Riverdragons News Release


COLUMBUS, Ga.— Reed Rawlings scored a team-high 20 points and Derrick Zimmerman added 14 points and seven assists as the Columbus Riverdragons ended a seven-game losing skid on their home floor with a 92-79 win over the Huntsville Flight in front of 3,194 on Saturday night at the Columbus Civic Center. The win was the first for Columbus at home since a 94-82 win on January 6 versus Fayetteville. It was also the first win for the Riverdragons over the Flight since November 20 in Columbus.

With the victory, Columbus (20-10) kept pace for first place in the NBDL standings with the Roanoke Dazzle (20-10) who defeated the Fayetteville Patriots, 107-95, on Saturday night. The Riverdragons finished the game shooting 50.7% from the floor (34-67) and capitalized on 25 Flight turnovers that led to 25 Dragons points. Columbus also capitalized at the foul line, hitting 22 of 33 free throws while Huntsville attempted only 14, hitting 10 of their own.

Derrick Zimmerman tallied seven points and LeRoy Hurd added six points as the Dragons jumped out to a commanding 29-16 lead after one quarter. Damone Brown knocked down a 17-foot jumper to pull the Flight within five, at 19-14 with 2:49 left in the period, but Columbus closed the quarter with 10-2 run. Scott Merritt and Mike Benton hit turnaround jumpers to key the spurt, but Hurd stole the show hitting three free throws and a half-court heave at the quarter buzzer to bring the crowd to its feet and propel the Dragons to a thirteen point advantage after one period.

Columbus built the lead to as many as 21 points in the second quarter led by the offense of Reed Rawlings, Kevin Braswell, and Scott Merritt, who returned to the lineup following a shoulder injury and stomach illness. Rawlings and Braswell each had six points in the stanza, but Merritt stepped to the forefront coming off the bench to post eight points and three rebounds in seven minutes. Leading by 15, at 31-16 with 11:33 left in the half, Merritt started a Dragons run with two free throws and a lay-in, then hit a six-foot turnaround as Columbus upped the lead to 21 points, 41-20 with 6:25 to go. Jason Miskiri ended the first half with a three-pointer to pull the Flight within 17 points, at 50-33, going to the break. The Riverdragons ended the half shooting 53% from the floor and forced Huntsville into 14 turnovers.

Columbus pushed the lead to a game-high 26 points on a Rawlings fast break lay-up with 2:38 to play in the third period that gave the Dragons a 71-45 advantage. The Riverdragons would go to the final quarter up by 22 points, at 75-53. Antoine Pettway scored 11 points in the fourth period, but it was not enough as the Dragons kept a comfortable advantage throughout the period. Pettway hit three straight free throws with 1:11 remaining to help the Flight get within 14 points, and his two free throws with 5.8 seconds to go made the final margin look much more respectable.

Columbus finished with four players in double figures. Along with Rawlings' 20 points and Zimmerman's 14, Ramel Curry posted 11 points, while Merritt finished with 10 off the bench. The Flight finished with three players in double figures. Earl Barron posted a game-high 22 points along with nine rebounds. Brown notched 12 points while Pettway finished with 11 in the loss.

The Riverdragons return to action on the road this Wednesday, February 23, as they travel to take on the Roanoke Dazzle in a first place showdown at the Roanoke Civic Center. Tip-off is 7:10 p.m.. Huntsville will return to the court on Friday, January 25 as they return to the Von Braun Center to host Roanoke. Tip-off is set for 7:10 p.m.. For more information, log onto nbdl.com.

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NBA G League Stories from February 19, 2005


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