Last season the Jacksonville Giants set an ABA record when they scored 206 points in a game. To the delight of 2,500 fans Saturday evening at Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena, the Giants broke their record when they scored 211 points against the Columbus Riverballers. Final score Jacksonville Giants 211 Columbus Riverballers 84.
Jacksonville got off to a tremendous start scoring 56 points in the first quarter. Their full court press caused numerous turnovers enabling them to score transition baskets. Giants tenacious and stifling defense allowed Columbus only 15 points in the first quarter.
The Giants defense was also effective in the second quarter allowing Columbus only 11 points. At the half, Jacksonville led 108 to 26. Giants Seven foot center, Jermaine Bell scored 29 points, grabbed 9 rebounds, and blocked 5 shots at the end of the half. Anthony Lumpkin scored 19 points in the second quarter and had 8 assists.
Giants Ass't Coach Jerry Williams, was pressed into service when forward Nick Wallery left the team. Guard/forward Dwayne Jackson also left the team. Playing his first game for the Giants, A C Stewart, 6'-7'' guard from the University of Kentucky did a good job of rebounding.
It was an exciting finish as fan were on their feet in the final minutes cheering their team on to score 207 to break their record from last year. Coach Jerry Williams scored a free throw to tie the record at 206 and scored another free throw to break the record.
Leading scorer for the Giants was Renaldo Norman with 36 points. Anthony Lumpkin scored 33 points. Bell had another double/double with 32 points and 10 rebounds.
Columbus was led in scoring by Tyrone Myrick with 28 points and he had 10 rebounds. Fred Ford scored 22 points.
Prior to the game, Giants Head Coach Kevin Waters told me a scout from the NBA-Developmental League was at the game to scout Jermaine Bell.
The ABA Power Rankings through January 29, 2012, ranked the Jacksonville Giants as the 7th best team.
The next Giants home game will be Saturday February 18 against the Panama City Dream.
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