ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Sunday, February 25, 1996              TAG: 9602260103
SECTION: SPORTS                   PAGE: C-7  EDITION: METRO 
DATELINE: ASHEVILLE, N.C.
SOURCE: FROM ASSOCIATED PRESS AND STAFF REPORTS


HIGHLANDERS AVOID BITE BY BULLDOGS

RADFORD WINS 77-74 when a UNC Asheville 3-pointer is released after the final buzzer.

Radford used a 10-0 run in the second half to take control, then dodged a bullet at the final buzzer as the Highlanders edged North Carolina-Asheville 77-74 on Saturday in a Big South Conference game.

With the Highlanders leading 76-74, Radford's Corey Reed was fouled with 15 seconds to play. He hit one of two free throws to make it a three-point game.

With the Bulldogs looking for a 3-pointer, Josh Pittman's shot from beyond the arc was partially blocked. The ball fell to teammate Ralf Melis, who found Josh Kohn open for a 3-pointer. Kohn drilled it, but the officials ruled he released the ball after the final buzzer.

Kohn and the Bulldogs led 66-61, but Radford (14-12 overall, 8-6 Big South) went on the 10-point spurt, capped by a Jason Lansdown jumper to make it 71-66 with four minutes remaining.

UNC Asheville (17-9, 9-5) kept it close with help from Pittman, who scored the Bulldogs' final eight points and led all scorers with 19 points. A Pittman layup brought the Bulldogs to 76-74 with 25 seconds left.

Anthony Walker led Radford with 15 points and 11 assists, and Reed and Lansdown each added 14 points. Kevin Robinson scored 13 points and Eric Bowens contributed 10 to the balanced attack.

Victor Newman scored 11 points and Kohn finished with 10 points and six assists for UNC Asheville.

The game was the regular-season finale for both teams. The Big South tournament begins Thursday at the Vines Center in Lynchburg. Radford is the fifth seed and will play either Charleston Southern or UNC Asheville depending on the outcome of other Big South games Saturday night.

NOTE: Please see microfilm for scores.


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by CNB