Smush Parker Earns NBDL's First-Ever Triple-Double As Florida Defeats Columbus

Published on March 26, 2005 under NBA G League (G League)
Columbus Riverdragons News Release


COLUMBUS, Ga.— Smush Parker earned the National Basketball Development League's first-ever triple-double on Saturday night as the Florida Flame fended off a late rally to down the Columbus Riverdragons, 105-98, at the Columbus Civic Center. The NBA veteran with Cleveland, Detroit, and Phoenix hit for 31 points, 13 assists, and 11 rebounds to make history as the Flame won their sixth game in the last nine overall.

On two occasions this season, March 18 against Asheville (17 points, 10 assists, 8 rebounds) and March 24 versus Huntsville (12 points, 13 assists, 7 rebounds), Parker just missed his opportunity to make NBDL history. But with the Flame leading by one point, 92-91, with 3:34 to play, Parker grabbed his tenth rebound off of a Scott Merritt miss on a driving lay-up attempt to capture the feat.

"I'm honored to be the first player to record an NBDL triple-double," said Parker. "I came close a few times this season, but I felt good about this one. I'm excited."

Parker's triple-double performance was the highlight of a Florida offensive onslaught that repeatedly went over, around, and through the Columbus defense all night long. The Flame (14-29) made highlight reel plays throughout the contest with a flurry of alley-oops, dunks, and reverse lay-ups that had the first-place Riverdragons (26-16) on their heels. Florida shot 49% from the floor and hit 21 of 28 free throws in the win.

Parker finished the first half well on his way towards the mark, posting 15 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists before the intermission to help propel the Flame to a 51-42 advantage at halftime. The 6-4, point guard out of Fordham ('02) scored nine points and had six rebounds in the second quarter alone as Florida outrebounded Columbus in the period, 15-7, to claim the nine-point advantage.

A Ramel Curry lay-in brought the Riverdragons within three points to cap off an 8-2 run over the first 2:38 of the third quarter and Columbus closed the gap to 53-50 with 9:22 left in the period. But Kirk Haston and Carl English combined for 12 points over the next 6:25 and the Flame reeled off an 18-9 run to claim a 71-59 lead with 2:57 to go in the third. Parker helped cap off the run with his tenth assist to Haston for a lay-in that gave Florida the 12-point cushion. Adam Harrington and LeRoy Hurd helped Columbus close the gap heading into the fourth period combining for nine points in a quarter-ending 12-7 spurt that brought the Dragons back within seven, 80-73, after three.

Columbus found its rhythm in the final period, as the Dragons opened the stanza on an 18-11 spurt. Curry broke free for a lay-in with 4:17 left to tie the contest at 91-apiece, but that would be the last time Columbus would get close as Hiram Fuller's free throw with 4:02 remaining gave the Flame the lead for good at 92-91. The free throw ignited a game-ending 14-7 run for Florida over the final four minutes. Haston, Parker, and English tallied four points apiece in the spurt to send the Dragons to their third loss in the last four games.

The Flame finished with five players in double figures. Along with Parker's game-high total, English posted 19 points, Fuller notched 14 points, Tim Pickett added 13 off the bench, and Haston finished with 12 in the victory. Columbus also had five players in double figures. Curry registered a season-high 26 points while Rawlings finished with his third consecutive 20-point performance, tallying 20 points on 9-17 shooting. Merritt notched 16 points and nine rebounds, Harrington tallied 11 off the bench, and Ben Adams added 10 points. Derrick Zimmerman also distributed a season-high 14 assists in the loss.

The Flame return to action this Tuesday, March 29, hosting the Fayetteville Patriots at the Germain Arena at 7:30 p.m.. The Riverdragons hit the road for a two-game swing starting at Roanoke on Wednesday, March 30 with a 7:00 p.m. tip-off versus the Dazzle at the Roanoke Civic Center. For more information, log onto nbdl.com.

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