Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, February 28, 1994 TAG: 9402270059
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: D4 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: RANDY KING STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LEXINGTON LENGTH: Medium
Then, in an unexpected act of charity, the Keydets gave away a basketball game.
In the latest chapter of VMI's miserable season, the Keydets squandered a 14-point halftime lead and dropped a 67-64 decision to Furman in the Southern Conference.
After leading the entire way, VMI (4-21 overall, 2-15 in the Southern Conference) let this one get away in the final 3 1/2 minutes, missing three free throws - including the front end of two one-and-ones - and turning over the ball on three other trips downcourt.
And Furman, which never led until Sammie Liberatore's two free throws made it 65-63 with 1 minute, 54 seconds left, gladly accepted. The victory broke a five-game losing streak for the Paladins (8-17, 5-12).
Coach Joe Cantafio has seen this act before from his young club.
"When you don't make free throws and turn it over, you shouldn't win," Cantafio said. "It's careless. But we didn't take care of the ball and didn't make the free throws and that's what happens.
"Winning teams make their free throws and don't turn the ball over. And that's what we have to learn to do."
After Bryan Woolsey drained his fourth 3-pointer of the game to give VMI a 63-57 lead with 5:09 left, the Keydets folded like a beach umbrella in a hurricane.
Furman, playing volleyball on the backboards against smaller VMI in the final minutes, made it 63-59 on Steve Harris' put-back.
After freshman Darryl Faulkner missed the front end of a one-and-one, the Paladins drew to 63-61 on two free throws by Liberatore with 3:17 left.
Faulkner turned over the ball on VMI's ensuing possession, leading to a tying layup by Furman's Jimmy Mason with 2:59 showing on the clock.
Lester Johnson joined the charity act by missing the front end of another one-and-one.
After a Furman turnover gave VMI a reprieve, the Keydets handed it right back when Faulkner threw away the ball with 2:03 left.
Faulkner's final donation was all the Paladins needed. VMI's Lester Johnson hacked Liberatore en route to the basket, and the senior hit both free throws to give Furman a 65-63 lead with 1:54 left.
After the Keydets' Jonathan Goodman made one of two free throws with 1:38 left, the Paladins spread the floor.
Furman guard Pat Marshall slipped free for a layup, but blew the shot. Goodman ripped down the rebound and promptly threw the ball to a purple shirt.
After the Paladins missed a 3-point shot and snared the rebound, Furman called a timeout with 58 seconds left. The visitors ran the shot clock down to five seconds before Marshall made a hurried move left of the lane. Marshall leaned into VMI's Jonathan Gullette, drawing a foul and protests from Cantafio.
Marshall swished both free throws to make it 67-64, and when Faulkner misfired on a pair of 3-point shots in the final 10 seconds, it was over.
\ see microfilm for box score
by CNB