ChumpDumper
12-29-2006, 03:26 AM
Toros Snap Record Losing Streak
Austin 94, Sioux Falls 86
Austin beats Sioux Falls 94-86
Toros pick up first victory of season
By William Wilkerson
AMERICAN-STATESMAN
Friday, December 29, 2006
Justin Grier had the rim in his sights and another uncontested jam was one step away.
On another night, that might have been the case, but not Thursday night.
Justin Bowen raced down the floor, met Grier at rim level and swatted the ball toward the exits, right along with the Austin Toros' winless record.
Bowen made several hustling plays that went a long way toward helping the Toros defeat Sioux Falls 94-86 at the Austin Convention Center. The win came after the Toros opened the NBA Development League season with 12 straight losses.
"We really wanted to focus on doing the little things," Bowen said, "because in most of our games we have been close. But the little things have cost us."
All the things that coach Dennis Johnson had been looking for from his team began to surface during the latter part of the third quarter, about the time Austin began to chip away at a double-digit deficit.
Every loose ball had a Toros player flailing after it. Austin began to get into the passing lanes on defense, creating fast-break opportunities and easy buckets. The Toros were having fun.
"That's what the game of basketball is about, having fun," said Bowen, who had 16 points. "We really gelled as a team tonight. Hopefully we can continue to do the little things right."
A baseline layup by B.J. Elder, who had a game-high 25 points, sparked an 11-0 scoring run by Austin that stretched into the early part of the fourth quarter. Brock Gillespie hit a three-pointer with 3:53 to go that put Austin up 87-80.
"Things that we have been preaching all year just snapped in today," Johnson said.
The Toros built a first-quarter lead with solid play on both ends.
Two buckets each by Kris Clack and Elder helped Austin to a 9-4 lead. A couple of fierce blocks from Clack helped the Toros maintain the lead until the 4:00 mark, when Grier put the Skyforce up 16-15.
But Bowen came off the bench and reeled off several acrobatic plays to put the Toros back on top at the quarter's end 25-22. One of those plays came when the 6-foot-7-inch forward elevated above two taller Sioux Falls defenders for a dunk.
"Justin played extremely well," Johnson said. "That's the way he has to play."
Note: Toros guard Jay Williams did not play because of a groin injury. It was the fourth game this season he has missed because of the injury.
http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/toros/12/29/29toros.html
It was hilarious. Everyone was acting like we won a championship. The team president went over to the PA annnouncer and told him to say everyone who brings a ticket stub from this game will get in free Saturday.
Justin Bowen, formerly the last training camp cut, played his ass off. If he keeps it up, he may actually stay on the team when Jeff Hagen heals up.
The Toros are still extremely sloppy without a point guard, but they are finally running some plays and moving without the ball to make things happen. Got some great stops in the fourth and resulting easy baskets to go ahead.
Austin 94, Sioux Falls 86
Austin beats Sioux Falls 94-86
Toros pick up first victory of season
By William Wilkerson
AMERICAN-STATESMAN
Friday, December 29, 2006
Justin Grier had the rim in his sights and another uncontested jam was one step away.
On another night, that might have been the case, but not Thursday night.
Justin Bowen raced down the floor, met Grier at rim level and swatted the ball toward the exits, right along with the Austin Toros' winless record.
Bowen made several hustling plays that went a long way toward helping the Toros defeat Sioux Falls 94-86 at the Austin Convention Center. The win came after the Toros opened the NBA Development League season with 12 straight losses.
"We really wanted to focus on doing the little things," Bowen said, "because in most of our games we have been close. But the little things have cost us."
All the things that coach Dennis Johnson had been looking for from his team began to surface during the latter part of the third quarter, about the time Austin began to chip away at a double-digit deficit.
Every loose ball had a Toros player flailing after it. Austin began to get into the passing lanes on defense, creating fast-break opportunities and easy buckets. The Toros were having fun.
"That's what the game of basketball is about, having fun," said Bowen, who had 16 points. "We really gelled as a team tonight. Hopefully we can continue to do the little things right."
A baseline layup by B.J. Elder, who had a game-high 25 points, sparked an 11-0 scoring run by Austin that stretched into the early part of the fourth quarter. Brock Gillespie hit a three-pointer with 3:53 to go that put Austin up 87-80.
"Things that we have been preaching all year just snapped in today," Johnson said.
The Toros built a first-quarter lead with solid play on both ends.
Two buckets each by Kris Clack and Elder helped Austin to a 9-4 lead. A couple of fierce blocks from Clack helped the Toros maintain the lead until the 4:00 mark, when Grier put the Skyforce up 16-15.
But Bowen came off the bench and reeled off several acrobatic plays to put the Toros back on top at the quarter's end 25-22. One of those plays came when the 6-foot-7-inch forward elevated above two taller Sioux Falls defenders for a dunk.
"Justin played extremely well," Johnson said. "That's the way he has to play."
Note: Toros guard Jay Williams did not play because of a groin injury. It was the fourth game this season he has missed because of the injury.
http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/toros/12/29/29toros.html
It was hilarious. Everyone was acting like we won a championship. The team president went over to the PA annnouncer and told him to say everyone who brings a ticket stub from this game will get in free Saturday.
Justin Bowen, formerly the last training camp cut, played his ass off. If he keeps it up, he may actually stay on the team when Jeff Hagen heals up.
The Toros are still extremely sloppy without a point guard, but they are finally running some plays and moving without the ball to make things happen. Got some great stops in the fourth and resulting easy baskets to go ahead.