ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, February 23, 1997 TAG: 9702250060
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: ODAC TOURNAMENT
SOURCE: DANIEL UTHMAN STAFF WRITER
In a game that mimicked the day's previous quarterfinal matchup, Hampden-Sydney played its ideal game and beat rival Randolph-Macon 85-66.
The Tigers face Roanoke at 2 p.m. today in the first of two semifinals at the Old Dominion Athletic Conference tournament.
The Tigers, much like Roanoke in the tournament's first game, rolled to a large halftime lead and never looked back. Now, they may be looking at further postseason play. This game had the potential to determine more than just the mythical state championship for hyphenated colleges. It also may have decided whether or not Hampden-Sydney will make the NCAA Division III Tournament, the field of which is announced March 2.
Tigers coach Tony Shaver acknowledged that one of the main reasons the game was so important was the impact it would have on the teams' NCAA chances. Then he added, ``People have asked us what does it take to get in? We've told them the only guaranteed way to do it is to win the ODAC championship.''
If Shaver could put Saturday's team in a cryogenic state, winning an ODAC championship wouldn't be a problem. Hampden-Sydney (19-6) was 9-of-23 from 3-point range, had a 22-point halftime lead and caused 26 Yellow Jackets turnovers.
``We've known for some time we can be very vulnerable against full- and half-court pressure,'' said Randolph-Macon coach Hal Nunnally, whose team finished the season with a 14-11 record.
Shaver was ecstatic at his team's performance, particularly in a first-round game, which he said is one of toughest when it comes to preparation. Senior forward Bryan Sheridan led the way with 17 points, and three other Tigers joined him in double figures.
Randolph-Macon's All-ODAC first-teamer Matt Meehan led all scorers with 20 points.
In other first-round games:
Lynchburg 72, Virginia Wesleyan 69: The Hornets won their first ODAC tournament game in 10 years, upsetting the second-seeded Marlins.
Virginia Wesleyan had two shots to tie or win the game with less than 20 seconds remaining, but could not convert. ``Lucky for us they didn't go in,'' said Hornets forward Otis Tucker III, a first team All-ODAC selection.
Luck and fate may have been on Lynchburg's side for the whole second half. The Hornets (12-13) are 10-0 when leading at halftime this season and on Saturday they led 35-32 at the break.
The loss capped a difficult and disappointing close to the season for Virginia Wesleyan (15-10). The Marlins, who 10 days ago led the ODAC standings, lost their final three games and had to suspend six players for one game because of a incident on their Norfolk campus.
``I can't remember a more disappointing end to a team as talented as ours,'' said Terry Butterfield, Virginia Wesleyan's coach.
Lynchburg coach Joe Davis had the opposite feeling about his team, which became only the second seventh seed to win in the tournament's history. He had never walked off the Salem Civic Center court as the victor in his six seasons as Lynchburg's coach.
``It was one of the most desired games we played,'' he said.
Bridgewater 92, Emory & Henry 84: Former Pulaski County High School star Tyrone Hash scored 22 points for the sixth-seeded Wasps, but it wasn't enough as the Eagles advanced to the tournament's second round.
Bridgewater faces Lynchburg at 4 p.m. today in the second game of a doubleheader. Bridgewater beat Emory & Henry 91-86 in double overtime in last year's quarterfinals.
``It was a tough, physical game,'' said Eagles coach Bill Leatherman. ``They've been a team on a mission the last six or eight weeks."
The Wasps closed their mission with a 9-16 record. ``The kids had a real good run,'' said Emory & Henry coach Bob Johnson. ``They really came together as a basketball team.''
Leatherman had particularly high praise for guard Eddie Bentley, a former Christiansburg High School player who put the ball right where his coaches wanted it - in the hands of their big men. Bridgewater forward Jason Jones led his team with 21 points.
Blacksburg High School graduate Craig Turman scored a career-high 10 points for the Eagles (19-6).
NOTE: please see microfilm for scores.
LENGTH: Medium: 80 lines KEYWORDS: BASKETBALLby CNB