Sluggish Wizards Win Close Call
Published on December 15, 2006 under NBA G League (G League)
Dakota Wizards News Release
BISMARCK, ND., Dec. 15 -Despite leading by as much as 19 in the third quarter the Dakota Wizards, held off the Austin Toros 85-84 to remain undefeated at home and improve their overall record to 6-1 on the season.
Forward Quemont Greer's lay-up with 3:13 left in the third quarter gave the Wizards a 15 point lead, but the Toros managed to tie the game at 67-67 with 10:27 left in the contest.
The fourth quarter was a see-saw battle, as the lead changed hands eight times. The Wizards took the lead on two free throws by forward Renaldo Major with 1:26 left. The teams then traded missed shots and the Toros attempt by Brock Gillespie was off the mark as time expired to ensure the victory for the Wizards.
"We almost gave the game away in the second half", said Wizards Head Coach Dave Joerger. "You can't give a tough team like Austin that many chances to stay in the game. By missing our free throws, we allowed them to get back in it."
The Wizards continued their slump from the charity stripe, connecting on 18 of 30 attempts tonight after only hitting nine of 21 Thursday night. Major, who scored 18 points, was clutch late in the game, hitting nine of his ten free throw attempts in the fourth quarter.
In addition to Major, leading the way for the Wizards was guard James Maye who also finished with 18 points. Newly acquired forward Awvee Storey was hot early, scoring 11 of his 13 points in the first half.
Toros guard BJ Elder kept Austin in the game, scoring a D-League season high 38 points, including 15 in the fourth. The Toros, who remain winless on the season at 0-8, finished with only one other player in double figures as forward Scott Merritt finished with 14 points and 10 rebounds off the bench.
Both teams were short handed tonight as Wizards guard Brandon Armstrong and Toros guard Jason Williams both did not dress tonight due to injury.
The Wizards return to action on Tuesday night to battle the LA D-Fenders for the first time. Tip off is set for 7:05pm CT at the Bismarck Civic Center.
NBA G League Stories from December 15, 2006
- Sluggish Wizards Win Close Call - Dakota Wizards
- Flyers Edge 66ers - Fort Worth Flyers
- Skyforce tops Arkansas for home sweep - Sioux Falls Skyforce
- D-Fenders Get Cornered By Stampede - Los Angeles D-Fenders
- D-Fenders Acquire T.J. Cummings, Waive Duane Erwin - Los Angeles D-Fenders
- D-League daily developments - G League
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