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Tycoons streak to eighth straight, take two on the road from Monterrey

November 27, 2006 - American Basketball Association (ABA)
Texas Tycoons News Release


Monterrey, Mexico - The first game of a road and road two game set with Monterrey Veneno-Poison was played out at the University Campus of Monterrey, TEC, on Friday night in front of a strong crowd and much national media attention from Mexico. Monterrey is one of the largest media markets in the country and the Veneno have very good coverage from the newspapers and radio talk shows. Monterrey's Gran Inauguration was the opening ceremony for the team to the city and both teams were keyed up and ready to go after the introductions and presentation of American and Mexican flags during the color guard and anthem ceremonies.

The Veneno had an excellent performance on the night from Cliff White (6'2''-G-80, college: Cascade) as his 35 points helped keep the home crowd roaring through out the game. Trading baskets in the early going with the Veneno was Tycoon guard Josh Gonner (6'2''-G-82, college: S.Carolina) who hit four 30 plus foot three pointers as the Veneno tried to sit back in a zone against Texas's sharp shooters. Texas built up a 16 point advantage before taking a lead of six to the half, 72-66. The emotions were high entering the third quarter as Texas began to add to their lead, using a smothering full court defense that slowly but surely wore on their opponent, the Tycoons pushed their lead over 20 points mid-way through the third. Brandon Lee (6'3''-G, college: Tarleton St.) got into the long ball act hitting eight three pointers en route to his game leading 37 point effort adding 6 assists. Gonner had 28 on the night while Jerome Rogers (5'10''-G-81, college: N.Texas) 18 points and 10 assists and Randall Williams (6'8''-C-82, college: Tarleton St.) 10 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 key blocks in transition helped get the crowd from getting too rowdy. Damarcus Ellis (6'1''-G-80, college: Robert Morris) came one point shy of a double-double with 9 points and 10 assists adding 5 steals but the Veneno would not give up, as they inched closer the buzz in the building was back at fever pitch. A Fred Hooks (6'6''-F/G, agency: Passing Lane, college: Humboldt St.) 3 pointer at the buzzer of regulation sent the game into overtime, tied at 128.

Texas's Benny West (6'3''-G, agency: ProSportsCareers, college: Howard Payne) is no stranger to Mexico as the Mexican League CiBaCoPa reigning slam dunk champion, all-star, and league's #2 scorer last season. That familiarity paid dividends as West came up big when the chips were down scoring 16 of his 18 points in the 4th quarter and overtime to go along with 9 rebounds, 7 offensive, to help the Tycoons prevail. Final score in Monterrey, Texas Tycoons 138, Veneno 131. With the win Texas took it's 7th straight victory and moved to 7-1 on the season.

Game 2 of the 2 game road set for Texas tipped off on Sunday afternoon, again a strong contingent of Veneno supporters were on hand for the festivities. Texas showing signs of the long travel to Mexico came out completely flat as Monterrey surged out to an early 29-8 lead. The Veneno's game plan was to try and slow Texas down and give them an early and steady diet of Andre Hardwick (6'7''-F/C-83, college: Cal.St.-Bakersfield), the big man worked out to the tune of 39 points and 15 rebounds hitting from inside and out staking Monterrey to the lead in the early stages of the game.

The Tycoons on the other hand, with their coach screaming out over the roar of the crowd, challenging his team to get back into the game with good old fashioned in your face, chest to chest, baseline to baseline defense. The Tycoons responded, Benny West was again very big in familiar territory with 34 points and 8 rebounds. Jerome Rogers had 21 points on the night, Brandon Lee 17, Randall Williams 6 points with 11 boards, Jean-Paul Afif (6'9''-F-80, agency: World Sport Agency, college: Loyola Marymount) 5 points and 10 boards, Damarcus Ellis chipping in 8 points, 11 assists, and 6 steals but coming down the stretch it was the Chris Williams (6'8''-F, college: Tarleton St.) show with 27 points and two huge daggers of the three point variety when it counted. Final score: Texas Tycoons 116, Monterrey Veneno-Poison 103.

When asked about the game, Tycoon's Coach Chris Terrell said "There are nights when you're tired or just not hitting your shots for whatever reason but if, as a team, you can dig deep down and get stops and boards, the rest will just happen." Terrell continued "I got my start at the high school level in Los Angeles's 5A LAUSD and if you want to beat team's like Westchester, Fairfax and Compton; you've got to be able to slide your feet, body up, and turn the ball. You get chin to chin with your opponent for 48 minutes and you'll give yourself a chance to win. That has fortunately translated well to the College and Professional levels as there are too many players who can hit shots to let them do what they want to do out there. You spend 4 quarters getting jaw to jaw, beating people to their spot and telling the offensive player where he can go and what he can do and you'll get W's."

With the win, Texas has now won 8 in a row, pushing their division leading record to 8-1 on the season. The road trip continues for the Tycoons as next up on the slate is the Houston Undertakers in Houston, Wednesday night. Texas will continue it's road trip with a visit to the Arkansas RiverCatz on Friday before they return back home to host the 2006 Texas Tycoons International and Domestic Free Agent Camp, Saturday December 2nd at the Desoto Town Center. You can get more information on your first place Texas Tycoons by visiting the team on the web at www.txtycoons.com or by calling (214)749-0134.

Note: OurSports Central no longer actively covers the American Basketball Association (ABA) as a professional league due in part to its inability to publish and play a schedule and the transitory nature of many of its teams. For information on professional minor leagues, please see OSC's basketball section.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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