Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, February 5, 1995 TAG: 9502080025
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RAY COX STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RADFORD LENGTH: Medium
No need to get delirious here. Travis Wells didn't.
``It was a big Big South Conference win, and we needed a big conference win,'' said Radford's walk-on point guard, one of Saturday's unexpected heroes.
More than one Dedmon Center customer must have been scrambling for a program after Wells had six points (4-for-4 from the free-throw line), two assists, and no turnovers while running the point for 21 minutes.
``He certainly did a tremendous job,'' Radford coach Ron Bradley said.
Wells' steady play allowed Anthony Walker to move to shooting guard, where he was free to look for his own offense and scored 12 points. Walker had seven assists while playing the point.
Wells, a junior in eligibility but a senior in class, had his finest moments at Radford. A 1990 All-Timesland selection from Martinsville, Wells came to Radford via the Naval Academy Prep School and James Madison University (two years).
``I didn't expect to play this much tonight,'' said Wells, who had played fewer minutes (102) than any other Radford player before Saturday. ``But the coach wants me to be ready for whenever I'm needed.''
Wells established himself late in the first half as a part of a five-man team of shock troops that included freshmen Corey Reed and Kevin Robinson, Eric Bowens, and Shane Weddle. That group played while Radford's starters received some stern words from Bradley on the bench for their uninspired play.
``He told us, `You don't want to play,''' Radford guard Jason Lansdown said.
Lansdown moved back into good graces with his defensive contributions against Towson's best player, guard Ralph Blalock, who was held to 13 points on 5-for-17 shooting.
``I don't think he had many uncontested shots,'' said Towson assistant coach Jim Meil, directing the team while head coach Terry Truax is in Maryland with an inner ear infection.
The Tigers (8-10, 2-7 Big South) missed a lot of shots, contested or otherwise. The 35.3 percent accuracy rate was proof.
Radford (11-9, 5-5) shot 50 percent - 63.2 percent (12-of-19) in the second half. The big story was Radford's 20-of-30 second half free-throw shooting.
``Our big men were getting fouled every time,'' Lansdown said.
Center Antoine Dalton made six of eight foul shots and finished with a team-high 16 points.
Keywords:
BASKETBALL
by CNB