Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, November 29, 1994 TAG: 9411290127
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RAY COX STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RADFORD LENGTH: Medium
The feast's main course leapt off the platter and started attacking the guests.
No matter. The Highlanders eventually subdued the Division III entree from Centenary of New Jersey for an 86-56 victory in front of 1,000 Dedmon Center customers.
Much to the chagrin of Radford coach Ron Bradley, his team trailed 21-18 with 11 minutes, 27 seconds left in the first half.
``I tried to tell the guys that Centenary looked pretty good on the tapes I saw,'' Bradley said.
Human nature, sometimes you have to see it in person to believe it.
``I think we kind of underestimated them because they were a Division III team,'' Radford guard Anthony Walker said.
Radford (2-0) put its affairs in order quickly after that and, from then on, dictated the proceedings.
``From the last 10 minutes of the first half to the end [of the game], we played our game,'' Walker said.
Radford's game consisted of the usual pressure defense, which produced 16 Cyclones turnovers, and shooting 3-pointers. The Highlanders buried 13 of 27 3-point attempts with Jason Lansdown and Walker going a combined 5-for-12.
``They were playing a lot of zone defense so that left it open for the 3,'' Lansdown said.
Lansdown finished with a team-high 15 points and Walker added 11 and a career-high 10 assists. Freshman Chibi Johnson buried both of his 3-point shots and ended with 10 points. Chris Harvey added eight points and career bests of five assists and 10 rebounds, although that didn't stop the Cyclones from controlling the backboards 43-30.
``We tried to limit the possessions,'' Cyclones coach Pat Zipfel said. ``We can't run with a team like that. They're gifted.''
As was the game's leading scorer, Justin Maples, who had 20 points and seven rebounds for the Cyclones. Maples is a transfer from Division I Niagra and has a full scholarship from Centenary - for academics.
``He's a 3.4 student and he wanted to come here to be closer to home,'' Zipfel said. ``We got lucky.''
Perhaps unlucky for Radford was that it must play Division III teams at all. Call it Campbell University's revenge.
``We wanted to get all the non-Division I teams off the schedule and we thought we had until Campbell left the Big South Conference,'' Bradley said. ``It's the same problem we've had. Teams don't want to come in here and play. I had to get who I could get.''
see microfilm for box score
by CNB