Sunday, February 06, 2000
Stuff 81, Richmond 78
BY PETE HOLTERMANN
Enquirer contributor
The atmosphere of the Cincinnati Stuff changed when Kentucky's Wayne Turner arrived at training camp in November after being released by the NBA's Boston Celtics.
“When he showed up, you could see the attitude change,” Stuff coach Joby Wright said. “The players really respect him, and they all started playing harder.”
Turner continued to set the pace for the Stuff on Saturday as he led a third-quarter run in Cincinnati's 81-78 win over Richmond at the Firstar Center.
“I just feel that whatever point guard is on the floor needs to take control of the game,” Turner said.
He did just that, scoring four points and dishing two assists in the third quarter as the Stuff went on a 13-2 run during the first four minutes of the second half to stretch a 42-39 halftime lead.
Cincinnati (21-7) pushed the advantage to as many as 17 points, taking a 65-48 lead with four minutes to go in the third.
The Rhythm (8-21) retaliated with a 17-3 run over the next six minutes to pull within 68-65 with 10 minutes left. Richmond did much of its damage while Turner was on the bench.
“Look what happened when we took (Turner) out, the lead evaporated,” Wright said. “That shows how important Wayne Turner is to the success of this team.”
Richmond closed the gap to 81-78 with 1:11 left in the game. But the Stuff held the Rhythm scoreless in the final minute.
“We played some very good defense to hold them to 18 (fourth-quarter) points,” Wright said. “We were able to pull this game out with defense.”
The Stuff had opportunities to close it out with free throws, but missed four attempts in the final minute.
“Unfortunately we didn't hit our free throws,” Turner said. “We could've made it more than a one possession game.”
Alex Sanders led Cincinnati with 19 points, and Turner added 18. Tremaine Fowlkes now has 15 double-doubles this season after scoring 16.
A.J. English led the Rhythm with 20 points.
RICHMOND (78) — Cartwright 8-10 1-2 17, Young 1-6 1-2 3, Johnson 1-1 1-2 3, Morton 1-10 0-0 2, English 7-16 4-4 20, Harris 0-3 2-4 2, Miskari 2-6 2-2 8, Robinson 2-9 2-2 7, Holmes 5-9 1-2 12, Carruth 2-3 0-0 4. TOTALS: 29-73 14-20 78
CINCINNATI (81) — Fowlkes 2-8 12-18 16, Taylor 3-4 0-0 6, Turner 9-15 1-1 19, Sanders 8-15 2-2 18, Edwards 1-7 2-2 4, Blakney 0-3 1-2 1, Kingsbury 1-2 0-0 3, Brown 2-7 0-0 5, James 0-2 0-0 0, Samake 4-6 1-5 9, Hickey 0-0 0-0 0. TOTALS: 30-69 19-30 81
Richmond ....... 18 21 21 18—78
Cincinnati ....... 25 17 26 13—81
Three-point field goals: Richmond 6-25 (Young 0-2, Morton 0-6, English 2-8, Harris 0-1, Miskari 2-3, Robinson 1-2, Holmes 1-3); Cincinnati 2-8 (Fowlkes 0-1, Sanders 0-1, Blakney 0-1, Kingsbury 1-1, Brown 1-3)). Rebounds: Richmond 38 (Cartwright 7); Cincinnati 52 (Taylor 14). Assists: Richmond 17 (Morton, Miskari 5); Cincinnati 15 (Fowlkes 5). Technical Fouls: None A-3,222
Sports Stories
Griffey payoff is in the Cards
Williamson hopes against trade
MLB investigating threat against Griffey
Marty gives it straight
UC 93, Alabama-Birmingham 80
Logan stars as reserve
Charlotte needs to control fans
George Washington 78, Xavier 67
Dislocated finger hampers Price
Five questions with Skip Prosser
Xavier women on roll
