ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, December 8, 1996 TAG: 9612100036
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-8 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: RADFORD
SOURCE: ANGIE WATTS STAFF WRITER
Coming off two emotionally charged wins over Virginia Commonwealth and Richmond, the Radford Highlanders again found themselves in a close one.
Trailing Marshall 74-73 with 1:23 left on the clock, the Highlanders (3-3) came up with a big defensive stop, forcing center John Brown into a hurried shot. The ball rolled off the front of the rim, but Radford couldn't come up with the rebound. Instead, it was the Thundering Herd's John Brannen who tipped in the loose ball for a three-point lead.
The Highlanders got no closer and succumbed 81-76 at the Dedmon Center.
"All those games [this week] came down to the last possession and tonight in that last minute we had them stopped, Radford Coach Ron Bradley said. "But they tipped in the offensive rebound and that was the difference in the game. I thought we were a little tired tonight, but that's not to make excuses. The thing I'm disappointed in is I think they out-scrapped us, and even when you're tired you have to get after the loose balls at home."
A timeout was called with 54 seconds remaining and the score standing at 76-73. Bradley said he was looking for either and inside shot by forward Kevin Robinson or a 3-point attempt if it was open. Robinson found the open look in the post, but his hook shot from the right baseline was no good.
Marshall (4-0) put an exclamation point on the win with a rim-rattling dunk by Brown at the buzzer.
"It was just a scrap an unbelievable game," Thundering Herd Coach Greg White said. "The significant thing about this is this is a team that has just beaten VCU and Richmond, two good teams, and we were in a similar-type game and came away with the win. It speaks well for the character of this team."
An up-and-down affair for both teams through the first half of play, both Radford and Marshall held at least an eight-point lead at some point during the opening 20 minutes. Trailing the Thundering Herd 37-36 at the half, the Highlanders pulled even three minutes into the second half on layup by Corey Reed.
In the second half, Keith Veney knocked down three 3-pointers in less than four minutes to give Marshall a 56-48 lead.
Brown led the Thundering Herd with 22 points and 11 boards. Veney finished with 21 and senior Sidney Coles, younger brother of former Virginia Tech great Bimbo Coles, added eight points, five rebounds, four assists and three steals.
Walker paced the Highlanders with a game-high 23 points, three assists and two steals. Robinson added 18 points and 11 rebounds, his sixth career double-double.
"We hate to lose one at home, but we just have to learn from the films and get ready to play Radford basketball against VMI Tuesday," Walker said.
NOTE: Please see microfilm for scores.
LENGTH: Medium: 56 linesby CNB