ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, February 18, 1996 TAG: 9602190121
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: FROM STAFF AND ASSOCIATED PRESS REPORTS
Charles Lott's layup at the buzzer gave James Madison a 76-75 victory Saturday over Virginia Commonwealth as the Colonial Athletic Association's last-place team beat the league's best in Harrisonburg.
The Dukes (7-19, 3-10 CAA) trailed 62-55 after Virginia Commonwealth's George Byrd made two free throws with 8:39 remaining. Darren McLinton then sank a 3-point goal to trigger a 9-2 James Madison run that tied the score at 64 with 4:58 remaining.
The Rams (19-8, 12-2) were unable to pull away as McLinton, who had 33 points and was 9-of-16 from 3-point range, scored 13 points in the final five minutes.
A layup by Bernard Hopkins put the Rams up 75-74 with 33 seconds left, setting the stage for Lott's game-winner.
Lott had 19 points for the Dukes, and LaMont Boozer added 10.
Hopkins led the Rams with 16 points, Patrick Lee had 15, Byrd 12 and Ivan Chappell 11.
The loss snapped the Rams' nine-game winning streak.
The victory was Lefty Driesell's 664th, tying him with former UCLA coach John Wooden.
In other games:
George Mason 100, American U. 88: In Washington, freshman guard Jason Williams scored 26 points off the bench and the Patriots held off a late rally to defeat American.
George Mason (11-13, 6-8 Colonial) never trailed on the way to its third victory in four games.
Trailing 77-62 with 9:09 left to play, the Eagles (10-13, 6-7) clawed their way back into contention, pulling to 83-77 when David Small hit one of two free throws with 5:01 remaining.
However, Michael Sharp, Williams, and Curtis McCants each scored baskets to increase the lead to 89-77 with 3:57 left, putting the game out of reach.
Old Dominion 70, Richmond 63: In Norfolk, Mark Poag scored 26 points, including back-to-back 3-pointers during a critical second-half run, as the Monarchs beat the Spiders.
Old Domindion (15-11, 10-3 Colonial) trailed 47-46 with 10:08 remaining when an Odell Hodge layup launched a 10-3 run that gave ODU a 56-50 lead with 6:48 left.
Richmond (7-16, 3-10) cut the lead to 65-63 on two Eric Poole free throws with 1:07 left, but was unable to score again.
Hodge had 18 points and five blocks for the Monarchs. Poag was 8-of-13 from 3-point range. Jarod Stevenson led the Spiders with 17 points.
William and Mary 63, N.C.-Wilmington 46: In Williamsburg, David Cully scored 15 points, including back-to-back dunks that broke open the game, as the Tribe snapped a three-game losing streak.
William and Mary (9-14, 5-9 Colonial) led 41-34 with 13:51 left when Cully broke the Seahawks defense inside on consecutive plays for a 45-34 lead with 13:14 left.
Mark Byington of Salem led the Seahawks (9-14, 7-6) with nine points.
Liberty 77, Charleston Southern 61: In Lynchburg, Peter Aluma scored 26 points and the Flames made 15 of 16 free throws in the final minutes. Liberty (14-10, 8-4 Big South) led 35-29 at the half, then opened the second half with a 17-6 run to take a 52-35 lead with 13:38 left.
Maryville 89, Ferrum 68: Sam Williams scored a game-high 24 points, including five 3-pointers as Maryville cranked the Panthers in a non-conference game in Ferrum. Ferrum (10-12) was led by Marcus Toney, who scored 19. Rodney Ponzo added 13 points and 11 rebounds.
LENGTH: Medium: 68 lines KEYWORDS: BASKETBALLby CNB