Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, January 26, 1992 TAG: 9201260222
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C7 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RAY COX SPORTSWRITER
DATELINE: RADFORD LENGTH: Medium
RADFORD SLEEPWALKS TO 6TH STRAIGHT VICTORY
Times have really changed with Radford University basketball.There are nights, such as Saturday, when the Highlanders can play at less than peak efficiency and still win.
Radford all but yawned in North Carolina-Asheville's face and still beat the Bulldogs 81-68 in a lackluster Big South Conference game at the Dedmon Center.
It's weird to hear basketball players being almost apologetic about a 13-point victory.
"If we play like that Monday night at Liberty, we get blown out," Highlanders guard Brian Schmall said.
Not very long ago, Radford could win one like this without playing well and people would be tickled with the victory. Now, they're looking for the stylistic touch.
"I was disappointed," Radford coach Ron Bradley said. "I think Asheville is a pretty tough team. It's just tough to convince your team of that."
Radford (11-6 overall, 5-0 Big South) won its sixth straight game and seventh in its past eight while getting five points, matching his season low, from leading scorer Doug Day. Day made one of 11 field-goal attempts.
"They did a great job on Doug," Bradley said. "That was as good as anybody has done on him since I've been here."
The lost production didn't seem to matter. Tom Gallaher, still recovering from a sprained ankle, had 15 points, point guard Chris Hawkins scored 14 to go with seven rebounds and five assists, and forward Stephen Barber had 12 points and 12 rebounds despite playing only 23 minutes because of fouls and injuries.
Don Burgess added 10 points and seven rebounds and Pete Reece had nine points and eight rebounds.
Also contributing on the boards was freshman Antoine Dalton, who had career highs with 10 points and eight rebounds. Radford enjoyed a 54-40 rebounding bulge. The Highlanders had 23 offensive rebounds.
Although Bradley was a little peeved at Barber for a delay-of-game technical foul in the second half, he said, "Hawkins and Barber never get the credit they deserve. And I was very pleased with the play of my freshman, Dalton."
UNCA (3-12, 1-5) forged a 59-59 tie with 11:15 left, but the Bulldogs had only three field goals the rest of the way. Asheville scored 28 second-half points and shot 34.2 percent (24-of-70) for the game.
"All year long, we've had trouble scoring," Bulldogs coach Don Doucette said. "That's not a secret to anybody." \
see microfilm for box score