Wizzards Fall to Hoops
December 18, 2002 - Continental Basketball Association 2 (CBA 2)
Grand Rapids Hoops News Release
The Grand Rapids HOOPS built a 13-point first half lead and held on to defeat the Dakota Wizards 122-113 at the DeltaPlex Arena. The HOOPS received a balanced scoring effort as all five starters scored in double figures. Larry Ayuso led the charge with 27 points, and Kevin Simmons scored a season-high 24 points and grabbed eight rebounds. Jerald Honeycutt also continued his torrid pace, picking up 18 points, seven rebounds and eight assists.
Entering the final quarter, Grand Rapids held a modest 11-point lead, but Dakota was able to quickly shave the advantage to 107-106 with three minutes remaining. However, two late three-pointers by Alex Scales gave Grand Rapids the win and 5.5 of a possible seven quarter points. Scales scored 19 points on the night.
Once again, the HOOPS had a strong first quarter, taking a 30-19 lead into the break. Grand Rapids shot 52 percent to Dakota's 37 percent from the field in the opening frame as Eric Murdock scored 11 of his 20 points. He also dished out a game-high nine assists.
Grand Rapids (7-7) continued to hold an advantage throughout the second quarter, deflating several surges by the Wizards in order to hold a 64-51 halftime lead. Ayuso hit on two three-point attempts, in scoring ten points in the quarter, while Malik Dixon led the way for the visiting squad with 11. The HOOPS' record when leading at the half this season is now 7-1.
Dakota (11-4) was able to top the HOOPS 31-27 in the third quarter, with Rashad Tucker contributing 13 of his team-high 23 points, for their only quarter victory of the night. Back-to-back baskets by Courtney James and Miles Simon cut the HOOPS' lead to 81-78 with just over two minutes remaining in the quarter, but six points by Jerald Honeycutt helped Grand Rapids to a nine-point advantage (91-82) after three.
The fourth quarter saw Dakota take their first lead since early in the first quarter, at 102-101 following a three-point make by Kevin Rice. Although the HOOPS have showed a tendency to lose the close one thus far this year, six of their seven loses have been by five points or less, they were able to recover and take the important home match-up.
Tucker's 23 points and 11 rebounds paced the Wizards, who were without an ill Andy Panko. Dixon and Rice also contributed 18 and 16, respectively.
The two teams face off again on Friday at the DeltaPlex. Tip off time is 7:05 p.m.
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Continental Basketball Association 2 Stories from December 18, 2002
- Wizzards Fall to Hoops - Grand Rapids Hoops
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