SRB - Stojakovic's career night wins it for Hornets

OKLAHOMA CITY (NBA) - Just when the New Orleans Hornets needed it, Peja Stojakovic came up with a career night to beat the Charlotte Bobcats and end a three-game losing streak.

The Serbia international, who missed the FIBA World Championship but plans to play at EuroBasket 2007, scored 22 of his 42 points in the first quarter as the Hornets raced into a lead and never looked back.

"I came in aggressive, and our guys kept finding me," Stojakovic said. "I tried to keep a shooters' mentality, get open and make shots, that's what I do, and luckily for me and my team, those shots went in."

Stojakovic shot 15 of 22 from the floor, including five of 10 on three-pointers.

"He did everything for us. He rebounded, he came off screens, made steals," said the Hornets' Team USA guard Chris Paul, who handed out 10 assists. "He had an unbelievable all-around game."

Stojakovic, an eight-year veteran, finished with the third-best point total in franchise history behind Jamaal Mashburn (50) and Larry Johnson (44) on the all-time list.

The 6ft 10in swingman's first-quarter outburst set a club record, surpassing Baron Davis, who scored 21 points on October 31, 2001, when the team was located in Charlotte.

Stojakovic made seven of seven shots, including four of four from the arc, and made all four free throws in the period.

"He came out on fire from the start, and you could see the determination in his face," Hornets coach Byron Scott said. "He just picked up it big time for us."

Stojakovic, who signed as a free agent in the off-season, scored on a fast-break layup and drained a jumper as the Hornets took an 87-82 lead with just over two minutes to go and were never really challenged thereafter.

"That's why we brought him (Stojakovic) here, to get open and make big shots," Scott said.

PA Sport