Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, March 15, 1991 TAG: 9103150387
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B4 EDITION: EVENING
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Thomas Hill added 18 points for the Blue Devils (27-7) in the opening game of the Midwest Regional.
Anthony Jones shook off a back injury to score 24 points for Northeast Louisiana (25-8), which had its 16-game winning streak snapped.
Duke was coming off a 96-74 loss to North Carolina in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game. Laettner, who was called for a technical foul and admittedly lost his poise in that game, got off to a slow start against a small but determined Northeast Louisiana team.
Jones' 3-point play 2:38 into the second half reduced Duke's lead to 51-50 before the Blue Devils - who were 18-point favorites - began getting the ball inside and taking command.
Laettner, a 6-11 second-team All-American, scored on three drives and made two free throws as Duke went up 60-52. Hill and Billy McCaffrey each hit a 3-pointer as Duke capped its decisive spurt with a 10-0 run for a 74-56 lead.
"We certainly didn't play as well as we were capable," Northeast Louisiana coach Mike Vining. "But I'm smart enough to know Duke had something to do with that. We have great 6-3 athletes, they have great 6-6 athletes."
Carlos Fuchess scored 19 points and Casey Jones 14 for Northeast Louisiana. McCaffrey had 17 points and Brian Davis 15 for Duke.
The Blue Devils are looking for their ninth Final Four appearance, including their fifth in six years, but are still seeking their first NCAA title.
see microfilm for box score
by CNB