Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, February 5, 1995 TAG: 9502080019
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DWIGHT FOXX STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LEXINGTON LENGTH: Medium
Guards Bobby Prince and Bryan Taueg made the key plays down the stretch as the Keydets survived an offensive-rebounding clinic by Georgia Southern 84-79 on Saturday afternoon at Cameron Hall.
VMI shot 60.7 percent (17-for-28) in the first half but led only 44-43 because Georgia Southern grabbed 21 offensive rebounds - and outrebounded the Keydets 28-15 - in the first half.
The Keydets made 15 of 17 shots, including seven 3-pointers, during a 10-minute stretch of the first half.
Both teams shot 50 percent in the second half, but Georgia Southern continued to control the offensive boards. It had more offensive rebounds (29) than the Keydets had total rebounds (28).
Georgia Southern led 75-71 with 3 minutes, 26 seconds left before Prince and Taueg took over for VMI.
Prince drove on Georgia Southern shooting guard Dante Gay for baskets on consecutive possessions to tie the score at 75 with 2:37 remaining.
``We ran a set offense to get the ball on the block,'' said Prince, a former Lord Botetourt standout. ``When I turned to pass the ball, B.J. [Grinage] didn't have his feet set. I don't like to throw the ball to our big men unless they have their feet set. I had to take it to the hole.''
Gay's running jumper in the lane gave Georgia Southern the lead with 2:04 left, but a layup by Lawrence Gullette tied the score again at 77.
Gullette's shot followed an aggressive play by Taueg to gain possession of a loose ball.
``It came down to who had the ball,'' Taueg said. ``I said to myself, `I can't lose this ball. I've got to stay with it.'''
After eight ties and seven lead changes, Taueg gave VMI (5-12 overall, 3-4 Southern) the lead for good, 80-77, on a 3-pointer with 1:12 remaining. Taueg appeared to hesitate before taking his game-winning shot.
``Who? Me?,'' Taueg said. ``No hesitation. I've got confidence; the whole team's got confidence. Coach [Bart Bellairs] has given everybody a lot of confidence. He believes in us. Everybody seems more focused and we're tired of losing.''
VMI led 82-77 when Lester Johnson followed a Georgia Southern turnover with a breakaway dunk with 45 seconds left, and Prince, an 89 percent free-throw shooter, clinched the victory by hitting two foul shots with 13 seconds left.
Prince, a sophomore, has made 20 consecutive free throws.
``That's just general with guards,'' Prince said. ``You want the ball in the hands of your best free-throw shooters at the end of games.''
Gullette led VMI with 21 points, Taueg scored 19 and Prince 17. Taueg has scored in double figures in each of VMI's conference games.
VMI, which had not won consecutive conference games at home since 1990-91, snapped a four-game losing streak to Georgia Southern (7-13, 3-5).
After the game, Bellairs ran around Cameron Hall, thanking the VMI students for their support and encouraging them to attend an indoor track meet on campus.
``It's starting to get exciting,'' Bellairs said. ``The corps has been unbelievable; the Rats are scattered around the building and our kids see that stuff. See the banners on the wall? Little stuff like that means a lot.
``I have to give the credit to the kids. I hope they let me go with them to The Citadel [on Monday],'' he added. ``We just played so dang-gum hard. It wasn't anything I did.''
Georgia Southern interim head coach Doug Durham, the son of Georgia coach Hugh Durham, was disappointed.
``This one hurt,'' Doug Durham said. ``We were hoping we could get a win and get away from the things that have happened during the year.''
Durham was referring to a recruiting violation that resulted in the resignation of head coach Frank Kerns. Jim Stephan, assistant sports information director at Georgia Southern, said the violations involved Chris Parker, a junior college transfer who was expected to contribute this season. The school is conducting an investigation and is expected to send its findings to the Southern Conference and the NCAA.
``We have to find a way to bounce back,'' Durham said. ``I thought our week of preparation was focused, but they [the Keydets] just played so hard. There's no limit to what you can do when you have guys playing with that type of intensity.''
by CNB