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                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, February 22, 1993                   TAG: 9302220092
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: From Associated Press and staff reports
DATELINE: CHARLESTON, S.C.                                LENGTH: Short

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PRESTON'S 37 NOT ENOUGH AS THE CITADEL DROPS VMI

Sophomore guard David Stevens matched his career-high with 17 points Sunday in leading The Citadel past VMI 69-53 in Southern Conference basketball.

The victory overshadowed an impressive performance by VMI senior center Lewis Preston, who accounted for 70 percent of VMI's scoring with a career-high 37 points. He also had a game-high 15 rebounds.

"He was outstanding," VMI coach Joe Cantafio said. "But when he gets 37 out of our 53 points, we have to find someone else who can score."

The Citadel (9-14 overall, 7-9 conference) took the lead for good when Chad Leonard scored a layup that put the Bulldogs ahead 14-12 with 8:59 remaining in the first half.

"I thought we played hard and played well," Cantafio said. "We got the ball where it had to be, but we just didn't shoot the ball well again."

The Keydets (5-19, 3-13) led 7-0 when freshman Lawrence Gullette sank a 3-pointer at the 14:24 mark.

VMI cut its deficit to three points twice in the final half.

"It's like I was telling the kids, we made some strides last week but we're going to have to make more strides if we want to win ball games, and I think we can," Cantafio said. "This is a young basketball team. It's one that's willing to learn, and we just have to be a little mentally tougher."

Reggie Jones added 16 points for The Citadel. \

see microfilm for box score

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