Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, March 20, 1992 TAG: 9203200088
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BILL BRILL SPORTSWRITER
DATELINE: GREENSBORO, N.C. LENGTH: Medium
For the second time in less than a month, arena lights went out with WVU in the lead, but when they came back on, the opponent romped to victory.
It actually happened three times Thursday in the opening round NCAA East game at the Coliseum. During severe weather, the lights went off with 3:27 left in the first half and shortly afterward with 1:34 to go. The last time came in the closing minutes.
But once the vapor bulbs stayed on long enough, favored Missouri shot down West Virginia, 89-78, to advance to a meeting Saturday afternoon against Seton Hall.
"In 29 years of coaching, that was the weirdest game I've ever been involved in," said West Virginia coach Gale Catlett. "I'd say the delays affected the play."
While 16th-ranked Missouri (21-8) snapped a four-game losing string and won for just the second time in its past six NCAA appearances, West Virginia was left to wonder about its loss of voltage.
During a game at Rhode Island, the Mountaineers led by three when the lights went out. They eventually lost by 21. "The lights were only out 15 minutes that time," Catlett said.
They were ahead 35-32 against Missouri when the arena darkened for the initial time Thursday. It was 38-34 WVU when a second power failure hit.
Missouri eventually scored the final four points of the half to tie the score, then, after an abbreviated 10-minute intermission, outscored West Virginia 12-4 starting the last half to take the lead for good.
"Right before the half was critical," said Chris Leonard, who led WVU with 25 points. "We wanted to get two possessions to their one, and they ended up with four points and we didn't get a shot."
It was an ugly, foul-filled game, one which never had any pace after the first two delays.
Most affected by the work stoppage was Leonard. He had four 3-pointers and 15 points before the initial spell of darkness. He didn't make another field goal until 1:45 remained, just six seconds before the third outage.
Meanwhile, Missouri got enough offense from All-America guard Anthony Peeler (25 points) and Jevon Crudup (18) to end the season for the Mountaineers at 20-12.
But with 1:39 on the clock and Missouri ahead by 11 points, the misery continued when it went dark again. Although the few fans who remained shouted for the game to continue with the dim ceiling lights on, the teams headed to their dressing rooms again.
The game began at 2:50 p.m. and eventually struggled to a conclusion at 5:58 after delays of more than an hour. Only the pep bands and a handful of fans remained.
During the post-game interview, veteran Missouri coach Norm Stewart said, "If the lights go out, we will not return." \
see microfilm for box score
Keywords:
BASKETBALL
by CNB