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Riverdragons Fall to Altitude

February 17, 2003 - NBA G League (G League)
Columbus Riverdragons News Release


COLUMBUS, Ga., (Feb. 17) – The Asheville Altitude kept their playoff hopes alive, rallying from a six point fourth quarter deficit to take down the Columbus Riverdragons 91-84 at the Columbus Civic Center in NBDL action Monday night. Asheville has won both meetings with Columbus thus far this season.

The Altitude (16-22) entered tonight's game in last place but moved within three games of the fourth and final playoff spot with 12 games to play in the NBDL regular season.

"We've got to approach each game from here on in like it is a playoff game," said Altitude head coach Joey Meyer. "We've got one month. Let's just make it the twelve best games we can play. I think we still believe that we've got it, and why not? These guys have two goals: to win and get in the NBA. There's no point in not playing hard every night."

Larry Abney led the Altitude with 23 points and 13 rebounds to post his second double-double of the season. The Altitude shot a steady 50%, hitting 35-of-70 shots from the floor on the way to snapping the Riverdragons 3-game home winning streak. The Riverdragons had not lost at home since falling 101-99 to Huntsville back on January 20.

Nate Johnson and Tang Hamilton led the Riverdragons – each scoring 17 points a piece. Starting center Shawn Igo chipped in 11 points and 8 rebounds for Columbus.

The Riverdragons (16-19) went ahead 70-68 – their first lead since the game's opening minute – on a 3-pointer by Sean Peterson early in the fourth quarter. Columbus extended its lead to six points, 78-72, on a wide-open three from Nate Green with 5:39 to play in regulation.

The Altitude responded with a 11-4 run capped by Eddie Gill - who hit a driving lay-up and was fouled to tie the game at 82-82. Gill converted the free throw to put the Altitude ahead 83-82 with 1:25 remaining. Asheville closed the game on a 8-2 spurt handing the Riverdragons their fourth loss in their last five games.

"We'll watch the tape tomorrow and practice twice tomorrow," said Riverdragons head coach Jeff Malone. "But all I can do is try to get these guys better. We're simply not getting big time points down the stretch. You can score points but if it's not during the fourth quarter -it's nothing. That's how you're judged in the NBA: how you play in the fourth quarter and in the playoffs."

The Riverdragons will not have to wait long to get another shot at trying to figure out the Altitude. Columbus heads to Asheville this Thursday, where the two teams will meet for the second time in four days. Including tonight's game, the Riverdragons face the Altitude four times over the final four weeks of the 2002-03 season.

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