Columbus Holds Off Huntsville
HUNTSVILLE, Ala., Dec. 21 -- The Columbus Riverdragons (10-5) surged to a 17-point third-quarter lead and held off a late Huntsville Flight (5-10) charge to seal the 86-78 victory. Tremaine Fowlkes led all scorers with 25 points while Shelly Clark led the Flight with his eighth double-double (15 point, 10 rebounds).
The victory marks the fourth consecutive win for the Riverdragons in the series.
"This was a good win for us," said Riverdragons coach Jeff Malone. "It was a hard-fought game. We had a big lead and softened up allowing the Flight back in it but we battled back and got the win."
Clark led six Flight players in double figures including Lonnie Harrell (12), Jimmie Hunter (12), Tyrone Ellis (11), Kelvin Price (11) and Greg Stolt (11).
The Riverdragons placed four players in double figures with Fowlkes, Nate Johnson (16), Ray Tutt (13), and Gabe Muoneke (10).
The Flight went on an 8-0 run to close the third quarter and a 4-0 run to open the fourth to cut the Riverdragons' 17-point lead to five points (65-60).
"We made some huge steps tonight," said Flight coach Bob Thornton. "We had better execution and better ball movement tonight. Except for four minutes at the start of the third quarter, we were in the game."
