Toros secure first home win
Published on December 11, 2005 under NBA G League (G League)
Austin Spurs News Release
AUSTIN, Texas, December 11, 2005 - Marcus Fizer scored a team high 15 points and grabbed nine boards as the Austin Toros defeated the Florida Flame, 86-79, at the Austin Convention Center. The victory was the Toros first home win of the season and extended their record to 2-2.
"We are trying to play with more consistency especially when we have a lead," said Toros head coach Dennis Johnson. "In the past two home games we stopped ourselves and our momentum with bad plays at wrong times and allowed the other teams back into the games. Tonight we did a better job playing under control and had better focus when they made runs."
After struggling throughout their first two home games, the Toros collected the victory with marked improvements at the defensive end. The Toros held Florida to a season low .340 percent from the field and forced 24 turnovers.
The first half of play was characterized by poor shooting and sloppy play with both teams committing a combined 21 turnovers. Late in the first half the Toros found there shooting touch with the help of a few transition baskets. Ramel Curry and Andre Emmett paced the Toros with eight and seven points respectively in the second quarter as the team connected on an impressive .526 percent from the field.
The Toros extended their lead to 15 points by the end of the third quarter by capitalizing a few of the Flame's unforced turnovers. Toros point guard Derrick Zimmerman slammed down a thunderous dunk as Ben Adams recorded a three point play to cap a late third quarter spurt.
By the end of the third quarter the Flame were shooting a disappointing .300 percent from the field while committing 20 turnovers. Only a remarkable 20-of-23 (87%) from the free throw line kept them within striking distance down the stretch.
The Flame was not content with shutting down in the fourth, going on a 9-1 run to start the quarter. But a timeout by Coach Johnson with nine minutes left settled the Toros who traded baskets with the Flame for the next four minutes of play. Fizer and Ezra Williams registered 12 points, 6-of-9, in the quarter to secure the Toros first victory.
The Toros received a balanced scoring effort with four players in double figures. Including Fizer, Andre Emmett and Ramel Curry both chipped in with 14 points and Williams added 10 points off the bench.
The Flame was led by Bracey Wright who scored 17 points and collected seven rebounds. Hiram Fuller added 16 points and seven rebounds and Dwayne Jones had a double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds.
The Toros and Flame will square off again tomorrow Sunday, December 11 at the Austin Convention Center beginning at 3:00 p.m.
NBA G League Stories from December 11, 2005
- Patriots falter down stretch en route to fourth straight loss - Fayetteville Patriots
- Toros lose in overtime - Austin Spurs
- D-League daily developments - G League
- Toros secure first home win - Austin Spurs
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