Wednesday, March 31st, 2010...7:47 am

Austin Toros 101, Los Angeles D-Fenders 94

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Dwayne Jones of the Austin TorosAUSTIN CONVENTION CENTER - For three quarters, the Austin Toros couldn’t get much of anything right. There were deflected passes, cut-off driving lanes and missed shots. Entering the fourth quarter, the Toros faced a 80-64 deficit and showed no signs of turning it around.

But they did.

Austin went on a 16-6 run to start the fourth quarter and tie the game at 86 all with about five minutes remaining in the game, and finished the game on a 9-2 run to beat the Los Angeles D-Fenders 101-94.

In all, the Toros outscored Los Angeles 37-14 in the final period and overcame 16 first half turnovers to win their sixth straight game. Curtis Jerrells led the Toros in scoring with 27 points, while adding seven assists and six rebounds (though he did have six of Austin’s 21 turnovers); and Dwayne Jones scored 19 points and pulled down 21 rebounds, including eight offensive.

Marcus Williams also continued his excellent return to the D-League with 23 points and seven rebounds, although he also contributed six turnovers.

Los Angeles was able to control the game early by cutting off Toro driving lanes, which had come so easy since the return of Williams to the team, which limited the open looks from the perimeter that players like Jerrells, Eddie Basden, Michael Joiner and Lewis Clinch received.

It also created turnovers, which led to easy baskets for the D-Fenders. Los Angeles scored 15 points off turnovers in the first half and led 55-42 at halftime, despite being out-rebounded 22-15 by the Toros and not hitting a single 3-pointer.

In the fourth quarter, though, the Toros knocked down outside shots early and put pressure on Los Angeles. Forcing five turnovers in the fourth, the Toros were able to take the lead and knock down free throws late to hold on.

The Toros are now just two games behind the Rio Grande Valley Vipers for first place in the West Conference.

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