Bandits storm past Richmond

Victoria Sun

Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2001 | 12:26 p.m.

Every time the Las Vegas Bandits have played the Richmond Rhythm this season, defense has been as scarce as the power supply in California.

Monday night was no different and the Bandits came up with their own surge to win the up-tempo competition.

The Bandits scored a season-high in points to beat the Rhythm 132-111 before an announced crowd of 754 at the Thomas & Mack Center.

"They like to score," Bandits coach Lionel Hollins said. "Our team did a decent job of defending their team.

"When we got to the fourth quarter, we defended and rebounded well, ran the fastbreak and made good decisions. Every time we play them when we defend we get a lead and when we don't, they come back to get us."

Las Vegas (14-9) is 3-1 against Richmond (7-17). The Bandits scored their previous season high on Dec. 26 in a 130-115 victory over Richmond.

The two teams will face each other again tonight at the Thomas & Mack Center at 7.

J.R. Henderson managed to make 8-of-13 shots for 18 points in just 26 minutes for the Bandits. Henderson, nursing a mild ankle sprain, also had nine rebounds. Isaac Burton matched Henderson's game-high 18 for the Bandits and doled out nine assists.

Richmond made 5-of-7 3-pointers in a sloppy third quarter to keep things close. The Bandits had seven turnovers to the Rhythm's six in the quarter.

Richmond trailed 83-82 in the third quarter after forward Galen Robinson made a 5-foot jumper with 3:15 left before the Bandits pulled away for good with a 12-4 run to end the period.

The Bandits made 6-of-6 free throws during that stretch.

Richmond trimmed Las Vegas' lead to five early in the fourth quarter before the Bandits literally ran the Rhythm off the court with a series of fast-break buckets inside.

"I just think we buckled down and played with discipline in the fourth," said Las Vegas' Damian Cantrell, who made 8-of-10 free throws and had 12 points. "The way they play, we just got comfortable with the direction and momentum of the game.

"We didn't want to let them back into the game. We just played better defense and finally put them away."

The Bandits had nine more assists and 19 more rebounds than the Rhythm.

Eight Bandits scored in double figures. Wayne Tinkle and DeeAndre Hulett both came off the bench and scored 17 apiece while Rocky Walls had 13 points and 15 rebounds.

"I'm pleased with a win," Hollins said, "whether we have three or eight guys in double figures.

"It says to me tonight we had good ball movement, ran well and shared the basketball."