Riverdragons handle Patriots easily
December 12, 2003 - NBA G League (G League)
Fayetteville Patriots News Release
In their previous two games this season, the Columbus Riverdragons held double-digit leads over the Fayetteville Patriots only to have the Patriots rally to win. The Riverdragons would not allow that to happen Friday night at the Crown Coliseum.
Lonnie Harrell scored 30 points on 5-for-8 shooting from 3-point range and Terence Morris came off the bench to add 14 points, 11 rebounds and two blocks as the Riverdragons handed the Patriots their worst home loss ever, 118-94. The Riverdragons (2-6) have won two straight as they snapped the Patriots (4-3) three-game winning streak. The Riverdragons' 118 points were the most points ever scored against the Patriots, and their 64-point first half performance broke an NBDL record.
"Coach (Jeff Malone) has been preaching to us and preaching to us to play four quarters, 48 minutes,'' Harrell said. "The last two games we've played 48 minutes. We had a chance to get a couple of wins over this team and let them comeback. We weren't going to let them do that tonight."
Harrell made sure the Riverdragons got off to another fast start against Fayetteville and his teammates sealed it. Harrell scored 19 first-quarter points and hit from almost every spot on the floor. He was 8-for-9 from the field, including 3-for-4 from 3-point range.
The Riverdragons shot 64 percent from the floor in the first quarter and led 33-19. The Patriots never came close to gaining anymore ground the rest of the night. The Riverdragons led by as many as 30 as they placed six players in double figures.
"We played like a team that had won three straight games and was probably feeling a little too good about itself,'' Patriots coach Jeff Capel said. "They played like a team that was 1-6 team that needed to impress their coach. I think those guys were playing for roster spots."
The Patriots made a few roster spots this past week, bringing in Tarvis Williams and Jason Capel. Neither man contributed much as Jason Collier led the Patriots with 23 points and eight rebounds. Britton Johnsen and Bryan Lucas chipped in with double-doubles. Johnsen finished with 21 points and 10 boards, while Lucas ended the night with 16 points and 10 rebounds.
The Patriots travel to face Charleston tonight at 6 p.m., while the Riverdragons will conclude their 12-day, five-game road trip at Roanoke tonight at 7 p.m.
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