Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, November 11, 1993 TAG: 9311110119
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: M.J. DOUGHERTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
Once that happened, the Demons pulled away from Radford 47-36 in the semifinals of the New River District girls' basketball tournament at Blacksburg High.
Christiansburg (10-11) will meet Carroll County (10-10) tonight at 7:30 in the tournament finals at Blacksburg. The winner earns a berth in next week's Region IV tournament.
The loss ends the season for the Bobcats (8-13), the first time they haven't reached the regionals since 1985.
"We got to work," said 5-foot-11 forward Maureen Jackson, a junior. "We wanted to make it happen."
Jackson made things happen early in the third period when she put the Blue Demons in the lead for good. She hit a free throw less than a minute into the period, breaking a 19-all tie. A minute later, Jackson powered her way inside and scored a layup, making it 22-19. Radford never got closer than two points after that.
"We went through some turnovers early in the second half," said Christiansburg coach Danny Knott. "But once we settled down, we started to play better."
In the fourth quarter, Rebecca McNeil took over for Christiansburg. The 6-foot senior centerscored 10 points and pulled down six rebounds as the lead slowly went from five to as many as 13 points.
"I guess I knew the end was coming," McNeil said. "We had to get the points to win. We didn't have much time left.
The combination of McNeil and Jackson allowed the Demons to outrebounded Radford 25-14 and outscore it 28-19 over the final two periods.
"Their post game really did us in in the second half - both McNeil and Jackson," said Radford coach Brenda King. "My worst fears were all realized."
McNeil finished with a game-high 17 points and 11 rebounds. Jackson scored 15 and pulled down 13 boards.
The pair gave a preview of their second half performance in the second period. Radford scored nine straight points to take a 14-11 lead and appeared on the verge of taking charge with 5 1/2 minutes left in the half.
Then McNeil and Jackson responded for Christiansburg by combining for eight straight points. McNeil penetrated on a power move at the five-minute mark and cut the Bobcats' lead to one point.
Jackson followed with a 3-pointer from the left baseline and the Demons never trailed again. McNeil then finished the run with a more conventional three-point play for a center - a layup and a free throw.
Freshman Charlee Taylor paced Radford with 15 points.
by CNB