Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, March 4, 1992 TAG: 9203040210
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY SPORTSWRITER
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE LENGTH: Medium
Stith helped keep alive the Cavaliers' flickering NCAA Tournament hopes when he scored a game-high 29 points in the Cavaliers' 74-68 victory over N.C. State.
"I felt like I was in another world," said Stith, whose number was retired in ceremonies after the game. "I felt like I was traveling back in time to my first year. I've never been so nervous.
"My worst fear was that I'd come out and have a terrible night. But when I took my first shot, even though it was blocked, I felt like I was in the flow of the game."
UVa had lost its final home game in the past two seasons, but this time Stith wasn't disappointed. The Cavaliers improved to 14-12 (7-8 in the ACC), but most observers believe they must win two more games to receive an NCAA bid.
Otherwise, Virginia could be headed to the National Invitation Tournament, with could mean another home game in the postseason.
Stith and fellow senior Anthony Oliver were recognized with their families before the game. Buzzy Wilkinson and Barry Parkhill, two of the five previous UVa players whose numbers had been retired, were introduced at halftime.
No sooner had the halftime presentation concluded than the lights went out and the start of the second half was delayed 15 minutes because of a power outage caused by a downed power line.
"I thought I had shouted the lights out," said N.C. State coach Les Robinson, whose Wolfpack fell to 11-17, 5-10 in the ACC. "It also happened to me at Liberty once and even Jerry Falwell couldn't get them back on."
Virginia, which trailed by seven points at one time in the first half, scored 19 points in the final 4:47 before halftime and took a 41-34 lead.
UVa had taken an early lead at 16-9, but the Cavaliers lost their momentum with 10:13 left when Kevin Thompson scored for the Wolfpack and was fouled by Ted Jeffries.
As the teams were lining up for the free throws, UVa's Cornel Parker was called for a technical foul - the first against the team this season - for pushing Tom Gugliotta.
Gugliotta made a pair of free throws and the Wolfpack retained possession, tying the score at 16. State scored seven points without the Cavaliers touching the ball.
State used a 20-6 run to go ahead 29-22 as the Cavaliers experienced the shooting woes that have plagued them for most of the season. Virginia made 10 of its first 31 shots from the field.
The Cavaliers went on a 11-0 run, led by freshman guard Cory Alexander, who scored eight points in a span of 1:49. He had six from the free-throw line as he repeatedly took State freshman Curtis Marshall to the basket.
Stith led the Cavaliers with 11 points at the half, followed by Burrough and Alexander with 10 each. Jeffries had eight points and eight rebounds as Virginia controlled the boards 30-19.
The Cavaliers outrebounded State 52-34 for the game. Junior center Jeffries had a career-high 17 rebounds, the most by a Virginia player in nine years. Jeffries also had 10 points for his first "double-double" of the season.
Stith said: "One thing I said I wasn't going to do [after the game] was shed any tears; but, once they gave me the jersey, there was no holding back."
\ NOTE: See microfilm for statistics.
by CNB