ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, March 7, 1997 TAG: 9703070077
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: FAYETTEVILLE, N. C.
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
Despite rallying in the second half, Roanoke falls in the NCAA Division III Tournament.
The Roanoke College men's basketball team couldn't find the basket in the first half, and, as a result, won't be playing anymore basketball this season.
The Maroons shot 30 percent from the field in the opening 20 minutes to fall behind Methodist and, despite a valiant comeback, fell 67-63 in the opening round of the NCAA Division III Tournament. The Monarchs (20-7), the Dixie Intercollegiate Athletic Conference champion, won their 18th consecutive game, the longest current streak in Division III.
Roanoke (19-8) missed 20 of 30 shots in the first half and trailed 33-25.
``We got good, open shots, we just couldn't get them to fall,'' said Page Moir, Roanoke's coach. ``We could've led by five or six if the shots had fell.''
While the Maroons couldn't buy a basket, the Monarchs hit seven of nine shots from 3-point territory in the first half.
The second half turned into a game of runs.
Jason Childers, Methodist's leading scorer (20.5 points per game), scored six consecutive points to open the second half as the Monarchs took their biggest lead at 39-25. Childers, the Dixie player of the year, led all scorers with 28 points, including 19 in the second half.
Roanoke responded by scoring the next 11 points before Methodist made another spurt to get the lead back up to 10.
The Maroons came back, closing to one with 35 seconds left. The two teams exchanged free throws, giving Methodist a 65-63 lead with 16 seconds left. Roanoke had one more shot, but turned over the ball on a double-dribble violation with six seconds left.
Jason Bishop led Roanoke with 21 points. Kevin Sigafoes added 12 and Jon Maher (Blacksburg) pulled down 10 rebounds.
Montrell McNair had 16 points for the Monarchs and Childers pulled down 11 rebounds.
For the game, Roanoke shot 41 percent (26-for-61) and Methodist shot 46 percent (23-for-50).
Moir was upbeat despite the loss.
``That's as hard as we've played for 40 minutes all year,'' Moir said. ``I couldn't be prouder of our guys and their effort.''
Roanoke will have a hard time replacing its seniors, who've enjoyed a great run. Bishop, Sigafoes, Maher, Tim Braun - all of whom started Thursday - Derek Bryant and Courtney Fitch played their final collegiate games.
``If you look at what the seniors did [over four years], it's just phenomenal what they've done for the program,'' Moir said. ``I'm proud of their effort. We had our ups and downs ... but we just had a solid year.''
Junior point guard Nathan Hungate dished out five assists to tie Roanoke's single-season assist record. Dustin Fonder had 158 assists during the 1993-94 season.
Methodist will play host to Christopher Newport in the second round Saturday. The Captains upset Hampden-Sydney 79-74 in another first-round game Thursday night. PLEASE SEE MICROFILM FOR SCORES.
LENGTH: Medium: 66 linesby CNB