Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, February 12, 1993 TAG: 9302120089
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B5 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE LENGTH: Medium
VIRGINIA HOLDS OFF N.C. STATE
Now Virginia's basketball team knows why it didn't win at home for more than a month.The Cavaliers made only four of 18 shots to start the second half Thursday night, then needed some late free throws to hold off North Carolina State 75-66.
The Wolfpack, an 18-point underdog, cut an 11-point deficit to 68-64 before 24th-ranked Virginia made nine of 12 free throws in the final 1:19.
UVa (14-5 overall, 6-4 ACC) took its biggest lead when a free throw by Ted Jeffries made it 66-55 with 3:38 left, but the Wolfpack (5-13, 1-9) refused to concede.
State enjoyed a 7-0 run before UVa senior Doug Smith hit both ends of a one-and-one with 1:19 left. Cory Alexander made another one-and-one with 1:06 left.
The verdict was sealed when Smith was fouled again with 40 seconds left and made three of four free throws, the last two on a technical foul against State's Kevin Thompson for hitting Cornel Parker in the back of the head.
Alexander had a game-high 23 points to lead four UVa players in double figures. Junior Burrough had 12, Parker 11 and Smith 11 for the Cavaliers, who had not won at University Hall since Jan. 13.
UVa had a season-low three turnovers, one in the second half, and State had six.
Thompson had 18 points for the Wolfpack, which also got 15 from Lakista McCuller. State is down to eight able-bodied players because of injuries, academic defections and assorted personal problems.
The Wolfpack, losers in six of seven games before Thursday night, hit six straight shots in the opening minutes and twice led by five points at 14-9 and 18-13.
Virginia did not regain the lead until Smith hit a 3-pointer with 7:24 left in the half as part of a 9-0 run that put the Cavaliers ahead 26-21.
UVa stretched its lead to 40-30 behind Alexander, who had one field goal before he accounted for 12 of 14 points for the Cavaliers during a 3:44 stretch.
State cut the deficit to 40-35 before Burrough hit from the lane a split second before the halftime buzzer. Burrough, showing signs of breaking out of a midseason slump, had 10 points at the half.
The Cavaliers shot 55.9 percent, with only two turnovers, and outrebounded State 17-14 for the half. State was able to keep it close by shooting 50 percent, including four of six 3-pointers.
Thompson hit five of seven shots from the half to lead the Wolfpack with 12 points at the half. McCuller had nine, with all three of his field goals on 3-pointers.
Virginia returns to action Saturday, when it travels to Clemson for a 4 p.m. game. The Tigers (12-7, 2-7) have won three of their past five games and led Duke in the second half Monday night.
UVa was a 100-82 winner in the first meeting despite giving up 66 points in the second half. It was the last home win for the Cavaliers before Thursday night.