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Riverdragons Game Notes

December 31, 2002 - NBA G League (G League)
Columbus Riverdragons News Release


Working Overtime

It was tough enough the Riverdragons had to play three games over three nights (Dec. 28-30) for the first time in team history - and then things became real interesting as the Riverdragons played in three straight overtime games over three nights for the first time in team history – losing all three. With their 91-81 OT loss last night to Mobile, the Riverdragons have dropped all four of their overtime contests this season and have been outscored 57-40 in six overtime periods.

Three Strange Days

Dec. 28, 29 and 30. Three strange days indeed. The Riverdragons overcame fourth quarter deficits to force overtime in each of their last three games – only to fall in OT each time. Over the last three games, Columbus has out-scored their opponents 73-46 in the fourth quarter, rallying from a 16-point third quarter deficit Monday night against and a 24-point halftime deficit Sunday.

No Rest For The Weary

The Riverdragons will open the New Year like they ended the last one – playing basketball. Wednesday's game on New Year's Day is the Riverdragons fourth in five days and their first trip to Roanoke this season.

Ka-Boom

The Dazzle are familiar with the Riverdragons overtime habit, getting out of town with a 106-104 OT victory following the an unlikely and dramatic 22-foot jumper at the buzzer by newly acquired Kareem Poole. Ironically enough, Poole was the Riverdragons leading rebounder in 2001-02 and still holds Columbus single-game records for rebounds (20) and blocked shots (5).

Another Familiar Face

The Riverdragons also recognize Dazzle center Sa-uh-ra Brown, who averaged 2.2 ppg and 1.9 rpg in 10 games for Columbus last season. Brown had three points and two rebounds over 14 minutes in the Dazzle's OT victory Sunday night in Columbus.

Playing Short

The Riverdragons, whose roster currently stands at nine, have dressed just eight players in two of the last three games. Incredibly, the Riverdragons had not missed a game due to injury until Saturday night against Mobile, when forward Derek Strong did not dress due to a strained left achilles. Sean Peterson did not dress for Monday's game due to a sprained left ankle he suffered Christmas Eve against Huntsville and then aggravated Sunday against the Dazzle.

Too Close For Comfort

The Riverdragons enter Wednesday's game in last place (7-11, .389) but easily could be over .500 considering the number of close games the team has played this season. Ten of the Riverdragons 18 games this season have been decided by three points or less, with Columbus posting a 4-6 record in those tight contests. Six of the Riverdragons eleven losses thus far have been decided by three points or less.

Cutting It Close Recently

It would be awfully tough to play games any closer to the edge than Columbus has the past two weeks. Six of the Riverdragons last eight games have been decided by five points or less. The trend has not recently played in the Riverdragons favor - as Columbus has dropped four straight games in which the margin of victory was five points or less.

Seeing Double

Tang Hamilton continues to make opposing defenses see double, posting ten double-doubles just eighteen games into the season. Hamilton's double-doubles have come in bunches. He started the season with three straight double-double performances and has posted doubles-doubles in six of his last eight games. Last season, Mobile's Derek Hood led the league in double-doubles with a total of 13. At his current pace Hamilton would record 30 double-doubles by season's end to crush Hood's mark.

Riverdragons Wheeling and Dealing

Greg Stempin is the fourth player added to the Riverdragons roster in less than a month. The rapid player movement is not unusual for head coach Jeff Malone. Last season, just three Riverdragons played the entire 2001-02 season in Columbus. Since Dec. 4, the Riverdragons have acquired Stempin, Nate Green (Dec. 22), Tyrone Washington (Dec. 11) and Eric Williams (Dec. 3). Currently with nine players, the Riverdragons are expected to fill their tenth roster spot soon.

NBDL Experience

With Stempin and Green on board, six of the Riverdragons 10 players were on NBDL rosters last season. Stempin finished fourth in the league in scoring with Fayetteville and Green started 31 games for N. Charleston in 2001-02 The Riverdragons have a league-high four returning players on their roster including forwards Tang Hamilton and Sean Daugherty and guards Nate Johnson and Saul Smith.

Gone Camping

With the addition of Nate Green, the 2002-03 Riverdragons currently have four players who participated in NBA vet camps this October including forwards Tang Hamilton (Memphis), Jermaine Walker (Orlando) and Sean Daugherty (Sacramento) and Green (Indiana). Oddly enough, Nate Johnson, the league's leading scorer since Nov. 21 was not invited to an NBA vet camp this October.. Johnson did participate with in the 76ers free agent mini-camp over the summer along with teammate Tang Hamilton.



NBA G League Stories from December 31, 2002


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