Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, March 17, 1995 TAG: 9503180046
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JACK BOGACZYK STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: DAYTON, OHIO LENGTH: Medium
Miami of Ohio continued the uncanny play of No.12 seeds in recent NCAA Tournament history, opening the Midwest Region's first round with a 71-62 upset of 15th-ranked Arizona on Thursday at Dayton Arena.
The Redskins, one of the last three at-large teams to make the 64-team field, moved into Saturday's second-round date against Virginia (23-8) by using more than a glass slipper and geography to boot the Wildcats.
``I think we showed from the start that we could play with Arizona,'' said Miami sophomore center Devin Davis, who got attention for more than his high-rise dreadlocks hairstyle with 24 points and 15 rebounds.
Miami, located about 40 miles away in Oxford, was an obvious local favorite with the sellout crowd of 13,045. The Redskins not only beat the Wildcats (23-8) to loose balls on the floor, but also produced their season high for rebounds with 46.Miami took advantage of an ankle injury that slowed Joseph Blair, Arizona's 6-foot-10, 270-pound center - although he was in foul trouble most of the game anyway.
The loss was the third first-round upset the Wildcats have suffered in the past four NCAA Tournaments. Arizona, a No.5 seed, had fallen as a No.2 to Santa Clara in 1993 and as a No.3 to East Tennessee State in 1992. The 'Cats reached the Final Four last year.
The defeat also ended the career of All-America guard Damon Stoudamire, who struggled after his return from a one-game suspension after his father had accepted an airline ticket from an agent.
``We felt pretty good about our chances, even though we were behind [32-31] at halftime,'' said Miami forward Jamie Mahaffey, whose breakaway dunk with 2:47 left pushed the Redskins to a 64-57 lead that still wasn't safe. ``We were missing easy buckets, but what was important is that we were getting good shots.''
Miami, which won the Mid-American Conference regular-season title, hit only nine of 35 shots from the field in the first half. The Redskins hit less than 40 percent for the game, but that was enough, because Arizona's offensive stars were worse.
Stoudamire and forward Ray Owes, who together averaged 38 points during the regular season, combined for 13-of-36 shooting. The Wildcats also made only five of 13 free throws.
``It was pretty obvious that Miami defended well,'' said Arizona coach Lute Olson. ``Miami seemed to get to every loose ball or rebound. That's an indication of two things - great effort on their part, and being much quicker to the ball than us.''
The Redskins led 60-50 with 7:30 to play and still were up seven when the Wildcats made one last rally. Stoudamire's 3-point goal and then a free throw on Arizona's next possession trimmed the Miami edge to 64-62 with 1:46 remaining.
With the Wildcats going for a tie or the lead two trips down the floor later, junior guard Chris McGuire, playing in his hometown, swiped at the ball and knocked it away from Stoudamire. Mahaffey picked up the loose ball and bolted to another stuff with 20.4 seconds to play.
Miami won for only the third time in 18 NCAA Tournament games over 14 trips. The last Redskins victory was in the 1978 first round over Marquette in overtime. In its past three visits before Thursday, Miami had lost to Maryland, Iowa State and North Carolina by 1, by 2 in OT and by 5, respectively.
``If we had to point to one attribute that got us through the game, it was team defense,'' said second-year Miami coach Herb Sendek, a Rick Pitino protege.
``We just talked about having fun and doing our best. It seemed to be senseless to grow up with March Madness and be here and not enjoy it.''
by CNB