Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, December 5, 1993 TAG: 9312050162
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RANDY KING STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RADFORD LENGTH: Medium
After playing respectably as big underdogs in losses at Richmond and Virginia Commonwealth earlier in the week, the Highlanders slopped their way to an 84-56 win over winless Bethany (W.Va.) College at the Dedmon Center.
When asked about his club's ragged effort, Radford coach Ron Bradley offered a basketful of reasons.
"There are dangers in playing this kind of game," Bradley said. "I was worried going in about the intensity level. You go on the road and play real good teams like Richmond and VCU . . . then get this - well, it's difficult for the kids.
"No matter how much yelling and screaming you do, it's tough to get them prepared for a game like this. We're trying to get away from this. It's tough to build up a home schedule. Finally, next year we'll have Richmond, VMI and VCU coming in here. We're trying to work it where we'll have more of a representative schedule here."
The Division III Bison (0-5), who don't have a player over 6 feet 4, likely won't be mentioned in future schedule talks.
Radford, which blasted Cabrini 98-54 in its home opener eight days ago, jumped to a 25-7 lead in the first 10 1/2 minutes Saturday and coasted despite itself.
Sophomore Jason Lansdown, who had a career-high 22 points on 9-of-12 shooting, supplied the Highlanders' most-noteworthy performance.
Radford, which was outrebounded in its first three games, barely outrebounded Saturday's undersized visitors, 37-34.
With run-and-gun George Mason and coach Paul Westhead invading the Dedmon Center on Monday, Bradley said his club was caught in a tough sandwich between VCU and George Mason.
"I hope the timing of this game doesn't hurt us Monday," Bradley said. "I think the kids knew this was going to be easy, and they played like it. I think we'll be more mentally prepared [Monday] because they know what's coming in here."
If the Highlanders don't perform better Monday, the Patriots may run them to Christiansburg and back.
"We know we have to play better," said Lansdown, whose previous scoring high was 11 points last year against Allentown. "We wanted to go out and play top notch tonight. We wanted to dominate. And we should have dominated. We'll take the `W', but we should have played better, no doubt about it."
Bethany, which lost to Ferrum by 27 this season, scored on three of its first 20 possessions, committing nine turnovers and hitting two of 11 shots.
Radford led 40-25 at halftime despite making only 13 of 31 field-goal attempts and being outrebounded 22-19.
Lansdown had 14 points in the second half as Radford continued to stretch the margin to the final 28-point differential.
Freshman Anthony Walker had a career-high 14 points for Radford. Seniors Tyrone Travis and Don Burgess had 11 and 10, respectively.
Joe Childress, who hit his first nine attempts in an 11-of-13 shooting night, paced Bethany with 23 points. Take away Childress and the rest of the Bison hit 11 of 43 shots.
"I'm just glad this one's over," Lansdown said in what may have been the quietest locker room of a 28-point winner in history.
What about George Mason on Monday?
"I'm going to start breaking down the film tonight," Bradley said. "All I know is that they press, run and shoot the ball about every four seconds."
Keywords:
BASKETBALL
by CNB