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Tycoons get ahead early and hang on for 113-99 victory over Atlanta Hardhats

May 7, 2007 - World Basketball Association (WBA)
Texas Tycoons News Release


Dallas, TX - The Texas Tycoons faced off with the Atlanta Hardhats in WBA action on Sunday afternoon at the Tommie Allen Town Center in Dallas, Texas and at the half most thought the game had been decided. Texas behind 20 points and 4 assists from Mario Kinsey (6'2''-G-82, college: Texas Coll. ) built a double digit lead on Atlanta, leading 34-21 at the break. The Tycoons played 11 players in the first 8 minutes of the game and just kept coming in waves at the visiting Hardhats with a balanced team effort. Tycoons' star Chris Davis (6'5''-G-80, college: N.Texas ) had 19 points and 7 rebounds in a game that got out of hand after two quarters, Texas holding a 68-40 advantage.

The second half was all about the heart and determination of the Atlanta Hardhats. A team that had a long road trip from Atlanta to play Mayas-USA in Longview Friday night and then on to Dallas on Sunday wasn't going to give up. Toby Smith (6'10''-C-85, college: Connors State, Okl. ) and William Howard put on a show, Smith connecting on 16 of 18 shots from the field en route to a 37 point effort. Smith faced up and knocked down challenged mid-range jumpers and when the defense closed out to quickly he put it on the floor and got to the basket finishing with his left and right. Smith also had 10 rebounds in a game that many thought was over at the half. Howard got to the foul line on a regular basis in the second half going 11 for 13 from the charity stripe on his way to 35 points for the game to help get the game back into striking distance.

Tycoons Head Coach Chris Terrell when asked about the game said "They have some incredible players and I don't want to take anything away from the Hardhats, they didn't give up and kept battling to the final whistle. I am just disapointed that we couldn't keep our focus and our intensity in that third quarter. We talked about it at the half and pro guys don't change their intensity, when you get up on somebody you've got to put your foot down and finish the game, not let up and make it a game again before you start to play."

Texas would hold on for the victory 113-99 with the Hardhats getting no closer than 12 in the second half. Texas had 6 players in double figures with the aforementioned Kinsey's 20 and Davis's 19. Tyrone Rayson (6'6''-F-80, college: East Central) had 17 points and 10 rebounds, Jerome Rogers (5'10''-G-81, college: N.Texas) had 15 points and 7 assists, Hank Rivers (6'8''-F-81, agency: 7-Miracles, college: Stephen F. Austin) had 13 and Benny West (6'3''-G-82, agency: ProSportsCareers, college: Howard Payne) had 10. For the Hardhats, Toby Smith led the way with 37, William Howard had 35, Terico Smothers (6'4''-G) had 16 and Aaron Burgess (6'8''-F/C) had 12.

The Tycoons now have 5 days to get ready for their next opponent as they are set to face up with Mayas-USA Friday night in Dallas. You can get more information on the Texas Tycoons on the web at www.txtycoons.com.

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