Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, March 20, 1994 TAG: 9403190050
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JACK BOGACZYK STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LANDOVER, MD. LENGTH: Medium
The Flames ignored their seediness and played top-ranked Carolina off its Tar Heels for 30 minutes. Then, reality set in on what could have been perhaps the greatest upset in 56 years of NCAA Tournaments.
In 10 years of 64-team fields in the NCAA Tournament, a 16th seed has never beaten a top seed. The Tar Heels, despite themselves and Liberty's inspired play, kept that record intact with a 71-51 victory in the first round of the East Regional.
In the Flames' first NCAA trip - it was Carolina's 28th overall and 20th in a row - the evangelical university spread its gospel.
With 10 minutes to play, the Big South Conference tournament champions from Lynchburg, Va., had a 46-45 lead. UNC (28-6) scored 26 of the last 31 points when the Flames' lack of size and depth finally showed.
"We may have been a little nervous and tentative," said UNC point guard Derrick Phelps. "But Liberty came out with nothing to lose and did a good job. That team has my respect."
For most of the game, Liberty (18-12) had Carolina trying to force the tempo and a lot more. The Flames played superbly on defense and turned their offense inside out.
"It worked until we got tired," said Jeff Meyer, Liberty's coach. "North Carolina's zone definitely hurt us. We still got some good shots, but not as many. And we didn't shoot as well down the stretch."
The Flames didn't shoot well, period. Considering where their shots were coming from, perhaps a 29 percent day wasn't bad. As much as anything - including UNC's size - Liberty's lack of depth led to its demise.
The Tar Heels moved into Sunday's second round against ninth-seeded Boston College (21-10), a 67-64 winner over Washington State. Coach Dean Smith's team will be seeking its 14th consecutive trip to the regional semifinals - to tie UCLA's streak of Sweet Sixteen appearances.
The Flames got much more from point guard Matt Hildebrand than his 20 points on a career-ending day. Despite being beaten badly on the boards, Liberty stayed with UNC for most of the first half before trailing 32-26 at intermission.
However, Meyer's team responded and went up 40-36 with 15 minutes left. Phelps followed with a 3-pointer, a shot Smith said "kind of stopped the bleeding" by the Heels.
With 10 minutes left, Chris Toomer's 3-pointer gave the Flames a 46-45 edge. That was Liberty's 48th shot - half from beyond the arc.
UNC scored the next 16 points. In those final 10 minutes, Liberty scored on only two of 16 possessions. Smith had switched to a 2-3 zone defense in the second half, cutting off the Flames' baseline running and passing.
"During that 16-0 stretch, their size became a prominent factor," Meyer said of the Tar Heels. "We tried to counter with some emotion."
Liberty didn't have anything left. The Flames had played as hard as they could for as long as they could, basically with six men. UNC pounded Liberty inside with Eric Montross and Rasheed Wallace's size and strength, and, as usual regardless of the opponent, the Heels had a huge advantage at the free-throw line.
"I wasn't scared we were going to lose, but with about 14 minutes left I told everyone it was time for us to go," Phelps said. "[The Flames] went out there and just did the best they could. You have to give them credit for that."
Liberty knew it had gained something while losing.
"The Bible says, `Be faithful in the tough times,' " Meyer said. "We're disappointed, but we know this will help us work toward the good times."
Hildebrand quoted from another book.
"In basketball, you have to hit your shots," he said. "For 30 minutes, we were right there. You hit your shots, you're in the game. You don't, you aren't."
by CNB