Victor's 46 Points the Difference As Roanoke Outlasts Florida 98-97

Published on March 25, 2006 under NBA G League (G League)
Florida Flame News Release


ESTERO, Fla. - After hitting the game winning free throws in last night's victory, Isiah Victor took his game to a whole new level, scoring a D-League season-high 46 points as the Roanoke Dazzle escaped with a 98-97 win over the Florida Flame on Saturday night at Germain Arena.

Victor's point total surpassed the previous season-high of 44 points set on March 21 by Austin's Marcus Fizer against Albuquerque. The veteran forward from the University of Tennessee hit 15-of 23 shots from the field and 16-of-19 from the foul line to earn a career-high and help his club maintain sole possession of second place in the NBA Development League standings.

With the win, Roanoke (24-20) earned its fifth consecutive victory and fifth in 11 meetings with Florida this season. With the loss, the Flame (21-21) dropped to the .500 mark for the first time since November 26, 2005 and suffered its sixth consecutive defeat.

Florida falls to sixth place in the D-League standings and one full game out the D-League playoff picture with six regular season games remaining. The Flame will play five of their final six games on the road.

The D-League's leading scorer, Anthony Grundy, nearly posted a triple-double with 15 points 18 assists and nine rebounds in the win. Florida was led for the second straight game by Bracey Wright, who notched 20 points and 13 assists in defeat.

"This one hurts," said Flame Head Coach Jeff Malone. "Our backs are now against the wall and we've got to find a way to get some victories. This team will have to take its game to whole new level if we want to have a chance at making the postseason. I hope so, but it's going to be awfully tough."

Victor carried the Dazzle on his back down the stretch hitting for 14 points on 4-of-4 shooting from the floor and 6-of-7 shooting from the free throw line in the fourth quarter. With Roanoke trailing 84-81, Victor jumpstarted the comeback effort with an 18-foot jumper with 7:21 left. Following a Florida turnover, Grundy hit a lay-up to put the Dazzle in front. Victor then scored the next five points for Roanoke with a lay-in, free throw, and a 19-foot jump shot to give the visitors a 90-84 advantage.

Following a Tyrone Sally jumper that boosted the Dazzle lead to eight, the Flame ran off six straight points on lay-ups from Wright, Lenny Stokes, and Jonathan Moore to cut the gap to 92-90 with 3:31 to go. Victor responded later with a pair of free throws that boosted the edge back to five at 96-91 with 2:24 on the clock.

Florida would not go away as Wright hit two foul shots and a 20-footer to bring the Flame within one at 96-95. The two teams would trade lay-ups inside the final minute as Sally connected for Roanoke and Stokes hit for Florida. Following a Dazzle miss, the Flame had the ball down by one point, 98-97, with 9.3 seconds to go. This time Florida went to Stokes, but the third-year veteran misfired on a 17-foot jumper as time expired giving Roanoke the win.

Three players scored in double figures for the Dazzle. Along with Victor's 46 points and Grundy's 15, Peter Ramos registered 10 points in the victory.

Five players scored in double figures for the Flame. Along with Wright's 20 points, Stokes tallied 18 points, Leach hit for 13, while Moore and Reed Rawlings hit for 10 points apiece in the loss.

The Flame and Dazzle will travel north for the rematch this Tuesday, March 28 with a 7:00 p.m. tip-off at the Roanoke Civic Center.

For additional information, please visit floridaflame.com or contact Florida Flame Director of Media Relations, Tim Becwar at (239) 561-8130 and tbecwar@floridaflame.com. For additional information on the NBA Development League please visit NBADLEAGUE.com.

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NBA G League Stories from March 25, 2006


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