Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, March 12, 1992 TAG: 9203120171
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Staff report
DATELINE: LOUISVILLE, KY. LENGTH: Short
The sixth-seeded Hokies, who lost 86-57 and 75-53 to UNC Charlotte during the regular season, got sterling play from first-year players Lisa Leftwich, Jenny Root and Christi Osborne in defeating the third-seeded 49ers 67-61.
"We're excited, elated," Alfano said. "[Our players] played with live emotion. As the year gets on, the freshmen get older."
Leftwich, the Hokies' point guard, played all 40 minutes and contributed 17 points and seven assists. She had five turnovers against UNCC's pressure defense, but none in the second half, when Tech rallied from an eight-point deficit.
UNC Charlotte (20-8) led 48-40 with 10:21 left when Tech began its comeback. The Hokies outscored the 49ers 11-3 in the next 4:13 and tied the score at 51 on Leftwich's 8-foot bank shot.
Junior Lisa Griffith started the run with a 3-pointer; Osborne, who had 12 points and seven rebounds, made an 18-foot jumper; and Root sank a jumper and two free throws.
Root's stickback put Tech up for good, 57-55, with 3:10 remaining, and the Hokies sealed the victory by nailing eight of nine free-throw attempts.
The victory put Tech (10-17) in today's 2 p.m. semifinal against Southern Mississippi, which crushed South Florida 90-66. Virginia Commonwealth defeated Tulane 73-58 and meets No. 1 seed Louisville in the 4 p.m. semifinal. \
see microfilm for box score
by CNB