Thunderbirds Hold On Late For 109-105 Victory Over Dazzle
December 31, 2005 - NBA G League (G League)
Roanoke Dazzle News Release
ROANOKE, Va., Dec. 31 - In a game that featured a D-League record 105 free-throws, Joe Shipp hit 10 of 13 on his way to a team-high 22 points, to lead the Albuquerque Thunderbirds to a 109-105 victory over the Roanoke Dazzle.
The Roanoke Dazzle scored the first two points of the game but would never lead again as the Thunderbirds controlled much of the rest of the game leading by 10 points after the first quarter 30-20, 9 points at halftime 61-52 and 10 points after three quarters 82-72.
The Dazzle made a late charge to cut the deficit to two points with 15.8 seconds left in the game. A huge steal from Bryant Matthews and clutch free-throws from Shipp sealed the win for the Thunderbirds.
"We did a good job in the first half and kind of fell apart towards the end." said Thunderbirds coach Michael Cooper. "The way we started in the first half is what got us rolling."
Shipp led five T-Bird players in double figures. T.J. Cummings had 16 points (12 in the first half), 14 points each from Randall Orr and Tony Bland while Bryant Matthews chipped in with 12 points.
The Dazzle were able to stay in the game thanks to a 53-30 advantage in points from the free-throw line. For the game the Dazzle had 63 chances from the charity stripe to 42 for the Thunderbirds.
Despite the advantage from the free-throw line the Thunderbirds out rebounded the Dazzle 43 -39 and only had 18 turnovers to 22 for the Dazzle.
"We came out flat in the first half and just as bad in the second." Said Dazzle coach Kent Davison. "They (the Thunderbirds) came out like gangbusters and we didn't match their energy."
For the game the Dazzle had four players reach double figures with Anthony Grundy leading the way with a game-high 24 points. Will Bynum and Isiah Victor both had 21 points and Peter Ramos scored 14 points.
With the win, the T-Birds improve to 8-6 on the season. With the loss the Dazzle now drop to 6-9 on the season. Both teams will next play on Friday, January 6, with Albuquerque heading to the Fort Worth Convention Center in Fort Worth, Texas to take on the Flyers at 7:00 p.m. and the Dazzle heading to Fayetteville, N.C. to take on the Patriots at the Crown Coliseum with the tip-off slated for 7:30 p.m.
NBA G League Stories from December 31, 2005
- Tulsa defeats Arkansas - Tulsa 66ers
- Thunderbirds Hold On Late For 109-105 Victory Over Dazzle - Roanoke Dazzle
- D-League daily developments - G League
- Hot Shooting Secures Toros Victory - Austin Spurs
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