Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, February 6, 1991 TAG: 9102060311
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOHN SMALLWOOD SPORTSWRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Engaged in a dogfight not to be the odd-team left out of the Old Dominion Athletic Conference playoffs, the Maroons need tangible wins, not moral ones.
Roanoke committed 24 turnovers against Emory & Henry's pressure defense, and reigning ODAC Player of the Year Leon Hill scored 27 points as the Wasps took an 88-72 ODAC victory.
The victory keeps the Wasps (18-2 overall, 10-2 in ODAC) a game behind league-leading Randolph-Macon, which is ranked No. 7 in Division III.
As important as the victory was for Emory & Henry, the loss was another critical blow to Roanoke.
With four league games remaining, the Maroons (9-11, 3-9) can't afford many more slips.
"We're just going to come out and play hard every night," said Roanoke coach Page Moir. "We're not going to worry about things that are a week from now. As long as they come out to play, I'll be happy with them. If we continue to play as hard as we have, we'll win enough games to get into the playoffs."
The Maroons played hard enough, but they were no match for the Wasps' defensive pressure.
Led by Hill with seven, the Wasps had 16 steals.
"No question, our defense was the difference tonight," said Emory & Henry coach Bob Johnson. "When we have a chance to win, it's because of our ability to put pressure on the ball. If we can't do that, we're in trouble, but the vast majority of the time we've been real consistent on defense."
Leading 47-45 with 16:44 left in the game, the Wasps got 13 points from Hill and forced seven turnovers during an eight-minute spurt that put them in control 66-52 at the 8:13 mark.
Roanoke got no closer than nine the rest of the way.
"They're an excellent defensive team," said Moir. "I don't think we've ever committed 20 turnovers in a game this season. When they put on that kind of full-court pressure, you have to take advantage of their aggression and get easy layups. Instead we threw the ball away."
The Wasps set the tone by forcing turnovers on the Maroons' first five possessions. They led 11-5 before the Maroons gained their composure. Roanoke cut the lead to two points several times during the game, but each time, the Wasps turned up the pressure to force crucial turnovers and extend their margin. The Maroons never led.
Trailing in the second half, Roanoke tried to get back by fouling. The Wasps stung that strategy by making 23-of-28 free throws. For the game, Emory & Henry was 36-of-42 from the free-throw line. The team entered shooting 68 percent from the line.
Roanoke was led by a resurgent Ron Pendleton who scored 20 points for the second straight game. Robert Lineburg added 12 points, Rick Becker 11 and Derek Otten 10.
Major Warner chipped in 14 points for Emory & Henry. The Wasps' starting backcourt of Northside High alums Jimmy Allen and Derek Elmore combined for 15 points, 10-of-10 free throws and five steals.
FOR INDIVIDUAL AND TEAM SCORING, SEE MICROFILM.
by CNB