Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, November 28, 1995 TAG: 9511280146
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: RAY COX STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RADFORD LENGTH: Medium
But like the men in Pickett's charge, the four-legged challenger in a bullfight, and Mike Tyson's last opponent, it didn't get them very far.
Radford University presented an unsolvable dilemma for the Senators Monday night, being bigger, faster, stronger, and more skillful. One strategy used by other senators might have been useful, but basketball rules do not allow for a filibuster.
So Davis & Elkins, the little NCAA Division II school, met its fate, 94-49. Presumably, the financial guarantee was worth it.
``We got two sets of uniforms and a set of warmups from playing this game,'' said D&E coach Russ Shepherd, who once played for the father of Radford assistant Bill Lilly at Glenville State. ``And it's nice for our players to be able to play in [a] place like this.''
The Senators (0-4) have lost 27 of 28 going back to last season and they were in no danger of mounting a threat in this one despite a nice game from Virginian (Stafford) Peter Kuhl, a 6-foot-7 sophomore center who had 16 points and eight rebounds.
``The coach last year wanted him to set picks, play defense, and not shoot,'' Shepherd said. ``I want him to shoot.''
As for Radford, the game provided an opportunity for the coach, Ron Bradley, to polish his already formidable reputation as a gentleman. The real press was shelved early and the bench was deployed liberally, up to and including Alleghany High product Jason Buzzard, a 6-7 walk-on who scored four points, had a steal, and blocked a shot in his first Radford action.
It was one of 11 blocked shots for the Highlanders, tying a school record. Jermaine Williams had four of them to go with 15 rebounds and nine points.
``We wanted to look at some different things,'' Bradley said.
The Highlanders (and probably the 900 or so audience members) would have probably preferred to be looking at VCU, but the Rams couldn't make it. D&E was a late addition to the schedule after VCU begged out of an obligation to Radford as it rearranged its schedule when it switched from the Metro Conference to the Colonial Athletic Association.
All 13 Radford players scored including guard Anthony Walker, who led the way with 15 points.
``You never want to say you're bored in a game, but still, I'm glad that one is over,'' he said. ``Now we can start getting ready for VMI and a game that won't be anything like this one has been.''
NOTE: Please see microfilm for scores.
by CNB