Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, October 13, 1995 TAG: 9510130069
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-4 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: CHAD WILLIS STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
Christiansburg overcame an 11-point lead in the final seven minutes of regulation Thursday before notching a tough 69-64 victory in overtime over rival Blacksburg in a district opener for both teams.
Christiansburg was led by Lisa Dalton's 20 points. Amber Reed tossed in 17 for the victors.
April Rogers came up big for Blacksburg in a losing effort. Rogers, the district's leading scorer, matched Dalton's 20 points and also had five steals.
The Blue Demons (5-8 overall, 1-0 district) scored five of the first six points in the overtime to take a 64-60 lead with 2:09 remaining.
Two free throws from Blacksburg's Karly Geller cut the Christiansburg lead to 64-60 with 1:09 to play.
Eight seconds later, Natalie Mutistaugh tied the score at 64 with a 15-foot jump shot from the right baseline.
Christiansburg scored the final five points of the extra period, with Reed's driving layup with 39 seconds left standing as the game-winner.
``Amber hit some clutch free throws in the overtime, and then made a great play on the layup to score,'' Christiansburg coach Danny Knott said.
Blacksburg (4-11, 0-1) hurt its chances in the overtime by making just three of eight free throws.
``The missed free throws really hurt us in the overtime,'' Blacksburg coach Mickey McGuian said. ``We were playing pretty good, but the misses really hurt our momentum.''
Blacksburg, leading 27-25 at halftime, opened the third period with a 2-2-1 full-court press.
Christiansburg had trouble with the pressure early, and it appeared Blacksburg might pull away to an easy victory.
The Indians closed out the period with a 14-5 run, forging a 47-38 lead.
``I told our girls that they needed to relax against the pressure,'' Knott said. ``I was upset because we were able to break their press early in their game.''
The Indian uprising set the stage for a Christiansburg comeback in the fourth period.
Dalton and Reed combined for 17 of the Blue Demons' 21 points in the fourth quarter. Reed scored 10 in the period, including a 3-point goal with 3:45 to play that cut the Indians lead to 51-48.
With 2:01 left in regulation, Reed made two free throws to tie the score at 55. Eleven seconds later she made two more free throws to give Christiansburg its first lead since early in the third quarter.
Blacksburg rallied behind Rogers, who scored the final four points of the period, tying the score at 59. Blacksburg was denied victory in regulation when Rogers' layup attempt was blocked by Dalton with :04 to play.
NOTE: Please see microfilm for scores.
by CNB