Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, March 11, 1990 TAG: 9003112769
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY SPORTSWRITER
DATELINE: CHARLOTTE, N.C. LENGTH: Medium
Stith was in the locker room, trying to regain his senses after being knocked to the floor with 14:46 remaining in the ACC Tournament semifinal.
By the time he returned to the bench after less than three minutes had elapsed on the game clock, UVa had turned a one-point deficit into a five-point lead en route to a 69-66 victory.
"I kept turning my head, hoping to see him coming out of the tunnel," said Craig Littlepage, a UVa assistant. "I could just see them passing out a press release saying, `Bryant Stith has been taken to the hospital for precautionary reasons.' "
Littlepage had been at courtside, scouting Clemson's first-round game with Wake Forest, when he received a similar release on Deacons guard Derrick McQueen. Unlike Stith, McQueen had been wheeled from the court on a stretcher.
It was first feared that Stith might have suffered a broken nose, but the swelling had subsided by the end of the game and no ill effects were expected for today's ACC championship game against Georgia Tech.
"I can't exactly remember what happened," said Stith, a first-team All-ACC selection and the Cavaliers' leading scorer. "When I came around, the trainers were around me and I had a handful of blood."
Stith eventually was helped to his feet and walked to the dressing room with the assistance of assistant trainer Ethan Saliba.
"They were going to take him to the bench," said Terry Holland, the Cavs' coach. "I said, `No, take him back in [the locker room], and calm him down.' But when he comes back out, I want him to be ready to play.' "
Between five personal fouls, a number of substitutions and assorted other interruptions, nearly 10 minutes passed before Stith returned.
"I yelled down to [assistant] Jeff Jones to tell [head trainer] Joe Gieck to go back to the locker room and see what was taking them so long," said Tom Perrin, another UVa assistant. "Not long after that, we saw him."
When Stith returned to the floor with 11:54 left, the UVa fans, who had been booing Clemson big man and alleged culprit Dale Davis, cheered lustily.
Afterward there was some question about whether Davis had elbowed Stith or whether Stith's teammate, Matt Blundin, had delivered the blow.
"I told Bryant that I knew I got him with my hand, but I don't think I got him very hard," Blundin said. "He said it felt a lot more like an elbow.
"Something like that just fires me up. It helps me to motivate myself to get better rebounding position the next time down the floor."
Stith returned to the game with 10:35 left and UVa ahead 52-48. He swished the first shot he attempted on a 3-pointer from the right wing.
"Once I came around, I was anxious to get back because I didn't want my injury to affect the team," Stith said. "I was shocked when I got back. It was like my injury was for better than for worse."
Kenny Turner scored six points during a 10-3 run, including a 3-pointer and a three-point play. Anthony Oliver had a jumper and John Crotty made two free throws, no small accomplishment on a day when the Cavaliers were 21-of-37 from the line.
"I think everybody tried to pick it up a notch," Turner said. "We only have one Bryant Stith and there's not going to be another one made in a day. I didn't know how long he would be, but I thought he would be back."
Stith, held to two points in the first half, scored eight in the first 4:38 after intermission, hitting four of four free throws.
Stith scored only four points after his return - the 3-pointer and a free throw. He was 1-of-4 at the line in the last 5:59, missing two one-and-ones.
"I can't explain that," said Stith, who is nearly an 80 percent shooter at the line but was noticeably off target on at least one of his free throws. "I think after the injury I was a little out of sync.
"I tried to get back as soon as possible. I knew we were down when I left and I didn't want us to get too far behind. I've got to believe that stretch was the turning point."
by CNB