Riverdragons outlast Dazzle in fourth straight win

Published on December 5, 2004 under NBA G League (G League)
Columbus Riverdragons News Release


COLUMBUS, Ga.— Ricky Minard tallied 18 points and six Riverdragons scored in double figures as Columbus held off the Roanoke Dazzle for an 83-78 victory on Sunday night at the Columbus Civic Center. The win ties a Riverdragons franchise record for consecutive wins with four. The Dragons (6-1) also stayed perfect at home this season, improving to 3-0 on their home floor. The Dazzle (3-2) had their two-game win streak snapped in the loss.

Both teams were held to season lows in the scoring column, with the Dragons hitting only 41% (29-70) of their shots and the Dazzle connecting on just 36.5% (31-85) of their field goal attempts. Columbus held just a 16-11 lead after one quarter and led by eight points at halftime, 37-29.

The Dragons made the decisive spurt in the fourth quarter, as Columbus held a one point lead, 66-65, with 8:28 to go following two free throws from Roanoke's Isiah Victor. The Riverdragons responded with a 6-0 run over the next 2:28 with following back-to-back jumpers from Seth Doliboa and Jeff Myers, along with a Derrick Zimmerman lay-in to open up a 72-65 lead with 6:00 remaining.

The Dazzle would get as close as three points, 76-73 with 49.7 seconds to go after Victor's lay-in and three-point play. But Columbus would push the lead back to four, following a free throw from Ricky Minard who reached the free throw line after being fouled on a three-point attempt with 38.7 seconds left. Minard missed the first two attempts before hitting the third to give Columbus a two-possession lead. Down by four, Roanoke struggled on its next two possessions with turnovers on each. Reed Rawlings and Scott Merritt would connect on four consecutive free throws to put the game away for the Riverdragons.

Rawlings posted a season-high 15 points, Zimmerman added 12, Merritt and Myers had 11, and Doliboa notched 10 points and seven rebounds for Columbus in the win. Mike Benton and Obinna Ekezie also provided 11 rebounds apiece.

The Dazzle were led by James Thomas, who posted his league-leading fourth double-double in five games with 15 points and 12 rebounds. Cory Alexander tallied 14 points, while Terrence Shannon and Victor registered 12 points apiece. Kevin Owens recorded a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds.

The Riverdragons return to action this Thursday, December 9 at the Columbus Civic Center against the defending NBDL champion Asheville Altitude at 7:00 p.m. EST. The Dazzle continue their road trip on Tuesday night at Asheville with a 7:30 p.m. tip-off at the Asheville Civic Center. For more information, log onto nbdl.com.

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NBA G League Stories from December 5, 2004


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