Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, February 12, 1995 TAG: 9502130053
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: FROM STAFF REPORTS
DATELINE: JOHNSON CITY, TENN. LENGTH: Medium
The win, which snapped a 10-game losing streak to ETSU, was VMI's first at East Tennessee since January 1984.
The Keydets (6-13 overall, 4-5 Southern Conference) took a 78-73 lead on Bryan Taueg's two free throws with 2 minutes, 30 seconds left but the Buccaneers rallied with five straight points. Phil Powell hit a layup for East Tennessee with 2:08 left and Justin McClellan made one of two free throws to cut the deficit to two with 42 seconds left. On ETSU's ensuing possession, Prince fouled Robert Doggett with eight seconds left. Doggett sank both free throws to tie the score at 78.
After VMI inbounded, Prince was fouled by Titus Shelton with three seconds left. Prince, shooting 89 percent from the free-throw line this season and ranked 12th in the nation in that category, sank both to give the Keydets the win. ETSU threw a long pass down the floor but Maurice Spencer of Martinsville picked it off as time ran out.
``Our guys have to feel confident with wins over UTC and ETSU,'' said VMI coach Bart Bellairs. ``It should be a heck of a [Southern Conference] tournament. East Tennessee State substituted more frequently than us and our guys played when they were dead tired. I've never been so proud of them.''
Lawrence Gullette led the Keydets with 19 points and Prince finished with 18.
Phil Powe scored 16 points for the Buccaneers (10-11, 6-3), Junior Floyd added 14, Tony Patterson and Doggett both finished with 13.
East Tennessee State coach Alan LeForce suffered a reaction to medicine taken earlier in the day and left the game minutes before tipoff. Assistant coach John Shulman led the Buccaneers in LeForce's absence.
by CNB