Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, September 3, 1993 TAG: 9309030202
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: M.J. DOUGHERTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: FLOYD LENGTH: Medium
Hot. Humid. Hurried.
The Buffaloes took advantage of the elements and the tempo and wore down Lord Botetourt 71-57 in a high school girls' basketball game at the Lady Buffs Tip-Off Tournament.
In the other game, Blacksburg routed Patrick County 63-29.
The victory leaves Floyd County (2-0), the No. 4-ranked team in Timesland and the only Group A team in the tournament, as the lone unbeaten team in the round-robin competition with the final games Saturday.
The Cavaliers (1-1), who entered the game as the top-ranked team in Timesland, had defeated 1992 Group AA state champion Blacksburg in their first game Wednesday night. But they never got their offense on track against Floyd County.
The Buffaloes led 31-30 early in the third quarter when they went on an 8-0 run to take control of what had been a see-saw game.
"It wasn't much of a lead [before the run], if you could even call it a lead," said Leigh-Ann Pursifull, whose jumper began the run. "We just had to get after them, take it [the game] from them."
Lord Botetourt cut its deficit to two points midway through the period, but that would be its last gasp. The Buffaloes scored six consecutive points in the next minute, finishing the surge with a layup by Pursifull.
With the lead back to eight points, the Cavaliers called timeout and never came closer than six points the rest of the way. Floyd eventually led by as many as 20.
"We never got into it," said Lord Boetetourt's Ashley Moore, who was held to six points against Floyd County after scoring 25 against Blacksburg. "I don't know what it was.
"I guess part of it was being tired. And we were down after the Blacksburg game. But we just weren't ready to play. Floyd was ready to play. This was a big game for them."
All of Floyd County's offensive work in the second half might have gone for naught, though, had its defense not held the Cavaliers in check in the second quarter.
The Buffaloes had three starters on the bench in foul trouble the entire period and went 1-for-11 from the field. Yet they still outscored Lord Botetourt by two points in the period. That's because the Cavaliers had eight turnovers and just five shots.
"It was just hard work," said Floyd's Carrie Chaffin. "When we're working together, we tend to be able to do what we want to do."
Added point guard Monica Lucas, who had six steals: "We just pressued the ball. We just got out there and worked hard. It was our normal pressure - our `Black Swarm.' "
Pursifull led Floyd County with a game-high 16 points and seven rebounds. Chaffin had 14 points and 14 rebounds. Melissa Cantrell also scored 14 points, hitting 11 of 14 free throws in the fourth quarter.
Sara Moore and Laurie Ottaway each scored 11 for the Cavaliers.
In the other game, Blacksburg (1-1), ranked No. 3 in Timesland, overcame early offensive inconsistency.
The Indians took command with an 11-1 run early in the second quarter. The run increased their lead to 14 points, and the margin slowly grew throughout the last 2 1/2 quarters.
Lisa Price had seven points for Blacksburg during the surge.
"We just weren't clicking [early in the game]," said Price, who finished with a game-high 17 points. "When we start getting quick baskets is when we get going."
While the Blacksburg offense was sporadic, its defense was a constant. It held the Cougars (0-2) to 29 percent shooting and forced 40 turnovers. \
see microfilm for box score
by CNB