Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, January 29, 1994 TAG: 9401290186
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: RALPH BERRIER JR. STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: HILLSVILLE LENGTH: Medium
The field-goal attempts came from much closer to the basket than the free throws and were met with about as much resistance.
In winning for the 27th consecutive time over a New River District opponent, the Indians took a 16-point first-half lead by knocking down easy shots, then held on despite missing 15 of 29 free throws in the second half.
"We're not plodding, but we can get better," said coach Bob Trear, whose Blacksburg teams have not lost a district game since the 1989-1990 season.
Even though they played without leading scorer Jay Safford, who was diagnosed with pneumonia this week after having been ill for most of the month, the Indians (4-6 overall, 3-0 district) never trailed and led 32-16 late in the first period.
Ben Araman scored 15 of his game-high 18 points in the first half, as Blacksburg sank 14 of 19 shots (68 percent) through two quarters.
"We were getting good looks at the basket," Araman said. "I would come off a screen and the shots were there."
Araman matched Carroll County's scoring output with 12 points in the first quarter on a variety of layups, drives and short jumpers.
"We were not very physical inside," said coach Pat Sharp, whose Cavaliers match up well with Blacksburg in terms of height.
Carroll County (3-9, 0-3) picked up its defensive pressure in the second half but never got within six points.
Blacksburg made only five field goals in the second half and missed 13 of 23 free throws in the fourth period, but the Cavaliers didn't have the firepower to make the Indians pay.
Carroll County clanged away at a 29 percent clip (13-for-45). Neither team made a field goal in the final 3 minutes, 32 seconds.
"We kind of panicked the last couple of minutes," Sharp said. "We had no semblance of an offense at all. We had our opportunities."
The Indians made 59 percent (19 of 32) of their field-goal attempts, compared with 50 percent of their free throws (18 of 36).
Blacksburg used a 9-0 run to take a 17-7 lead six minutes into the game. Unheralded scorers Mike Dowdy and James Sarver combined for eight points early to help the Indians stretch their lead.
"We got a lot of people involved," Araman said.
Dowdy and Tony Wheeler had eight points each for Blacksburg.
Jason Kilbourne led Carroll County with 13. \
see microfilm for box score
by CNB