Florida Holds Off Dazzle

ROANOKE, Va., Dec. 3 – The Florida Flame got a game-high 26 points from both Theron Smith and Bracey Wright to take a 113-109 victory in a high scoring affair over the Roanoke Dazzle on Saturday.

The Flame looked to have the game in control, holding a 10-point lead heading into the fourth quarter 90-80, but let the Dazzle play their way back into the game behind some clutch shooting from Isiah Victor who led the Dazzle with 23 points and Nate Daniels who scored 16 points off the bench.

Flame Coach Jeff Malone said: “We shot 50 percent for the game, but we were giving up a few too many points tonight.”

For the game the Flame had five players reach double figures including Wright and Smith’s 26 points apiece. Andre Barrett had 16, Austin Nichols added 12 and Kendall Dartez chipped in with 10 points.

The Dazzle mounted a rally in the fourth behind eight points from Daniels, including two three-pointers as well as Victor’s seven points in the stanza.

“We put ourselves in such a bad way in the third quarter because of horrible decisions” said Dazzle Coach Kent Davison “that’s the thing we have to work to improve, our decision making.”

Joining Victor and Daniels in double figures for the Dazzle were Peter Ramos, who put up a double-double with 21 points and 11 rebounds, Anthony Grundy with 16 points and Seth Doliboa with 15 points.

With the win, the Flame improve to 3-1 on the season. The Flame will next head out west to take on the Ft. Worth Flyers on Thursday.

The loss drops the Dazzle to 2-4 on the season. The Dazzle will head to Fayetteville, N.C. to take on the Patriots on Friday.