Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, January 12, 1992 TAG: 9201120144
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOHN SMALLWOOD SPORTSWRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
MAROONS FALTER DOWN THE STRETCH
Earlier in the season, Roanoke College men's basketball coach Page Moir might have been satisfied when his youthful Maroons came close against a top-notch opponent.They did on several occasions, and Moir tagged the losses learning experiences.
But close losses aren't good enough anymore.
So Moir found little solace Saturday as Roanoke lost 76-68 to Hampden-Sydney in an Old Dominion Athletic Conference game at the Bast Center.
The Maroons (5-6 overall, 2-2 in the ODAC) lost their second consecutive ODAC game and slipped from a tie for first in the league to the middle of the pack.
"We've played some very good teams," said Moir, "and we've got a couple of those close ones. Just not as many as we needed. We're not [winning close games] consistently. That's what separates 20-game winners from 15-game winners."
With the score 55-55, Hampden-Sydney outscored Roanoke 21-13 over the final 6 1/2 minutes to win its second straight league game on the road.
Former Patrick Henry High School player Russell Turner scored eight points, and Tee Jennings, a former William Fleming standout, got his four points during the decisive run.
The Tigers (9-3, 3-2) converted 13 of 14 free throws in the final minutes. In the game, Hampden-Sydney was 28-for-29 on free throws.
"I thought we did a good job of getting the ball to the people we needed to down the stretch," said Hampden-Sydney coach Tony Shavers, whose team was the preseason favorite to win the ODAC. "That allowed us to get to the free-throw line.
"I still don't think we're playing as well as we're capable of, but we've won two straight league games on the road on determination. You have to like that."
Turner led Hampden-Sydney with a game-high 32 points, including 12-for-12 on free throws, and 12 rebounds. Point guard Bat Barber had 19 points and five assists.
Rick Becker paced Roanoke with 21 points, and Hillary Scott had 15. The Maroons had five more field goals than the Tigers (28-23), but their 12-for-20 shooting on free throws was the difference.
"We've just got to think about what we should have done today, and then do it next time," said Moir.
The Maroons play host to Lynchburg College on Monday. \
see microfilm for box score