Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, March 3, 1991 TAG: 9103030189
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY SPORTSWRITER
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE LENGTH: Long
The Cavaliers' basketball team never got to No. 1 in the country, as its football counterpart did, but its late-season collapse has been just as dramatic.
Maryland handed UVa its sixth loss in the past seven ACC games, rallying from a 13-point second-half deficit Saturday to defeat the Cavaliers 78-74 in overtime.
It was Maryland that spoiled the final home appearance for the seniors on Virginia's football team, and the Terrapins' basketball team did the same for the five UVa seniors in their University Hall finale.
The Cavaliers, who shot 55.9 percent in beating the Terrapins 76-62 in College Park, Md., made only 31.8 percent (21-of-66) from the field this time. They made only 10 of 41 shots (24.3 percent) after halftime and did not score from the field in overtime.
As a result, Maryland was able to come back from a 44-31 deficit with under 19 minutes remaining for its first ACC road victory of the season. The Terrapins, who are on NCAA probation, finished 16-12, 5-9 in the ACC.
"The players have not allowed [the probation] to affect them," Maryland coach Gary Williams said. "Whether we were on probation or not, I don't think we would have won more than 16, to tell you the truth."
Less than four weeks ago, Virginia was 5-2 in the ACC and 17-4 overall, but the Cavaliers' only victories since then have come against ACC cellar-dweller Clemson, Fairfield and Towson State. A preseason choice for third place in the conference, the Cavaliers (20-10, 6-8) tied for fifth in coach Jeff Jones' first season.
UVa, seeded sixth because it lost twice to Georgia Tech, will meet third-seeded Wake Forest in the 9:20 p.m. first-round ACC Tournament game that annually produces some of the more dreadful basketball of the season.
It couldn't be much worse than Saturday's display, which marked the third time since Feb. 10 that UVa has blown a double-figure lead in an ACC game. The Cavaliers led by 11 at Wake Forest before bowing 76-68 and held a 20-point second-half lead at N.C. State before falling 83-76.
"You've got to score to keep a lead," Jones pointed out. "Just look at the stat sheet; that says it all."
UVa's last basket from the field came on a jumper by John Crotty that put the Cavaliers ahead 65-61 with 2:41 remaining in regulation. However, it was the last trip down the court for Crotty, who fouled out with 2:22 left.
"I had position and [Kevin McLinton] dribbled right into me," Crotty said. "I had my right foot on the baseline and there was nowhere he could have gone except through me. And he did."
Crotty said he immediately thought "charge" after hearing the whistle blow.
"I was very surprised; I was in disbelief," Crotty related. "I knew I had four fouls and I wouldn't have made a play unless it was a sure play. I didn't want to foul out with that much time left.
"The team needed me. I was aware of that. It was tough fouling out of my last game and having to watch in agony from the sidelines."
Crotty's last three fouls were called by official Gerald Donaghy, but former Roanoker Sam Croft had center stage for most of the afternoon. Croft called three technical fouls, two against Maryland and the first of Jones' career with 4:37 remaining in overtime.
Jones said he felt Anthony Oliver had been fouled on a layup attempt that would have tied the score.
"The technical was deserved," Jones said, "[but] we certainly didn't need it. We definitely didn't need the no-call either."
Maryland had gotten in early foul trouble, but that turned out to be a blessing as the Terps were forced to switch from man-to-man - their best defense, according to Williams - to a zone. UVa was helpless against the zone, going 1-of-14 from 3-point range in the second half.
"When they went to the zone, we were reduced to being a perimeter team, period," Jones said. "You live with the 3-pointer or the jump shot [and] I guess you're going to die with the jump shot. We didn't have a single guy who was shooting the ball well today."
Bryant Stith led all scorers with 23 points for the Cavaliers, but made only six of 21 shots from the field, going 0-of-7 on 3-pointers. Stith and Kenny Turner each missed 3-pointers that could have ended the game in regulation.
Walt Williams, playing his third game since missing six weeks with a broken foot, led the Terps with 21 points and eight rebounds. Cedric Lewis and Matt Roe added 18 points apiece for Maryland, which celebrated by dumping a cooler of ice on Gary Williams' head.
There was no celebration for the Cavaliers, only a subdued postgame farewell for the seniors. Most analysts believe UVa will make the NCAA Tournament, but the Cavaliers fail to meet several recommended criteria, including a .500 conference record and momentum entering the postseason.
"I think we've played well all year," said Jones, despite the Cavaliers' 3-6 record in the past nine games. "We've had some discouraging losses, but we're still a good basketball team. Some really crazy things would have to happen for us not to go."
see microfilm for box score
by CNB