Toros Secure First Home Win

AUSTIN, Texas, Dec. 11, 2005 -- Marcus Fizer scored a team-high 17 points and grabbed nine boards as the Austin Toros defeated the Florida Flame, 86-79, at the Austin Convention Center. The victory was the Toros' first home win of the season and extended their record to 2-2.

“We are trying to play with more consistency, especially when we have a lead,” said Toros head coach Dennis Johnson. “In the past two home games we stopped ourselves and our momentum with bad plays at wrong times and allowed the other teams back into the games. Tonight we did a better job playing under control and had better focus when they made runs.”

After struggling throughout their first two home games, the Toros collected the victory with marked improvements on the defensive end. The Toros held Florida to a season-low 34 percent from the field and forced 24 turnovers.

The first half of play was characterized by poor shooting and sloppy play with both teams committing a combined 21 turnovers. Late in the first half, the Toros found their shooting touch with the help of a few transition baskets. Ramel Curry and Andre Emmett paced the Toros with eight and seven points respectively in the second quarter as the team connected on an impressive 53 percent of their shots from the field.

The Toros extended their lead to 15 points by the end of the third quarter by capitalizing on a few of the Flame’s unforced turnovers. Toros point guard Derrick Zimmerman slammed down a thunderous dunk and Ben Adams converted a three-point play to cap a late third-quarter spurt.

By the end of the third quarter the Flame were shooting a disappointing 30 percent from the field while committing 20 turnovers. Only a remarkable 20-of-23 (87 percent) from the free-throw line kept them within striking distance down the stretch.

The Flame continued to plug away, going on a 9-1 run to start the fourth quarter. But a timeout by Coach Johnson with nine minutes left settled the Toros who traded baskets with the Flame for the next four minutes of play. Fizer and Ezra Williams registered 12 points, 6-of-9, in the quarter to secure the Toros first home victory.

The Toros received a balanced scoring effort with four players in double figures. Aside from Fizer's 17, Andre Emmett and Ramel Curry both chipped in with 14 points, and Williams added 10 points off the bench.

The Flame was led by Bracey Wright who scored 17 points and collected seven rebounds. Hiram Fuller added 16 points and seven rebounds and Dwayne Jones had a double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds.

The Toros and Flame will square off again Sunday, Dec. 11 at the Austin Convention Center beginning at 3:00 p.m.