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Riverdragons Surge to Win in OT

March 19, 2003 - NBA G League (G League)
Columbus Riverdragons News Release


COLUMBUS, Ga., (March 19) – Greg Stempin hit two three-pointers and drew a charge in the final minute of overtime as the Riverdragons rallied to overtake the Revelers 88-87 OT in NBDL action Wednesday night at the Columbus Civic Center. Stempin finished with a team-high 21 points off the bench.

"It's kind of a funny game because I wasn't shooting that well at all up until that point," said Stempin. "When I hit that first one, I told the guys ‘If you can penetrate and kick, I'll hit it.' Nate Johnson got it and luckily that's what he did."

Unfortunately for the Riverdragons, Stempin's late-game heroics were not enough to extend the Riverdragons (23-26) season. Earlier this evening, the N. Charleston Lowgators (25-24) defeated the Greenville Groove, 95-91, to clinch a playoff spot and eliminate the Riverdragons remaining postseason aspirations.

"I've got a good group of guys," said Riverdragons head coach Jeff Malone. "They fought tonight and they showed what they can do in tough situations. If we could just have raised it to one more level this season then we would be sitting around right now talking about who we are going to play next week. That didn't happen but the bottom line is we're proud of them."

The Riverdragons trailed by five, 87-82, with 53.6 seconds remaining in overtime. Stempin hit his first three-pointer of the extra session to pull Columbus within two with 41 seconds to play. The Riverdragons still within two, Stempin drilled his second overtime trey with 4.2 seconds left – this time giving the Riverdragons the lead, 88-87.

On the Revelers (24-23) next possession, Stempin stepped up on the defensive end, drawing a charge as the Revelers Cedric Henderson drove to the basket. The foul was Henderson's sixth on the night and sealed the victory for Columbus.

The Revelers Isaac Fontaine led all scorers with 22 points. Fontaine and Aaron Owens combined for 16 points in the final quarter alone as the Revelers climbed out of a 12-point fourth quarter deficit to force overtime. Owens finished with 17 points and nine assists.

With the loss, the Revelers slip into the fourth place with two games to play. The Revelers can clinch the fourth and final playoff spot this Friday with a win over Huntsville and a loss by Asheville to Greenville.

The Riverdragons close the regular season this Saturday at the Columbus Civic Center against the first-place Fayetteville Patriots on ESPN2. The first 2,000 fans 12 & under receive a free Riverdragons jersey.

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