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Riverdragons Share Holiday Dish with Groove

December 22, 2002 - NBA G League (G League)
Columbus Riverdragons News Release


COLUMBUS, Ga. (Dec. 22) – Tang Hamilton, a final cut in the Grizzlies vet camp this October who continues to impress in the D league, had a game-high 20 points and game-high 13 rebounds to notch his fourth consecutive double-double and lead the Columbus Riverdragons past the Greenville Groove, 93-81, at the Columbus Civic Center Sunday night.

Hamilton, the league's leading rebounder, also leads the league in double-doubles posting eight in 14 games to start the season. The NBDL season record for double-doubles is 13, set last season by Mobile's Derek Hood.

"I'm real focussed this season, " said Hamilton. "I know there are some people that haven't seen me really play. I want to come out and show folks that I can compete. That's what this season is all about."

With the victory, the Riverdragons (7-7) rebounded from Saturday night's, 80-77, defeat at Greenville by dishing a team-record 28 assists. Jeremy Veal set the giving mood distributing a game-high 8 assists coupled with his 15 points. The Riverdragons have won three of their last four games and are 3-1 since Veal took over as the starting point guard Dec. 14.

Nate Johnson (15), Sean Daugherty (13) and Tyrone Washington (12) also reached double figures for Columbus, who shot 52.9% from the floor on the evening. The Groove (9-7) was led by Greg Jones and Brandon Kurtz, each scoring 16 points.

The Riverdragons led by six, 70-64, at the end of the third quarter. Jeremy Veal's lay-up with 5:26 to play extended the Riverdragons lead to 10, 79-69. Nate Johnson picked off a pass from Billy Thomas and fed Hamilton on the break for a lay-up to give the Riverdragons a 9-point lead (86-75) with 2:36 remaining. The Groove would pull no closer the rest of the way.

The Riverdragons get a night off before their Christmas Eve meeting Tuesday with first-place Huntsville at the Columbus Civic Center. The Groove do not play again until after Christmas, hosting Roanoke at the Bi-Lo Center on Thursday, December 26.

Last Saturday's meeting between the Groove and the Riverdragons will be broadcast on tape-delay Monday, December 23 at 4 p.m. ET on ESPN2 and Tuesday, December 24 at noon on NBA TV.

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