THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, January 15, 1996 TAG: 9601150137
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY VICKI L. FRIEDMAN, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium: 58 lines
Virginia Commonwealth coach Peggy Sells studied the stats sheet after the Rams' 86-57 loss to 15th-ranked Old Dominion and saw the name that gave her team fits on Sunday afternoon at Franklin Street Gym.
``Amber Eller,'' she said, unsure of the pronunciation. ``We didn't count on Amber Eller.''
ODU coach Wendy Larry labeled it a ``stellar Eller'' day, a credit to the sophomore who came off the bench to score a career-best 16 points, all in the first half, and record three steals and four assists.
``I can't say that I was expecting this,'' said Eller, who was called on early after Ticha Penicheiro picked up two quick fouls. ``I felt like I had a good practice before coming up here. My confidence is starting to come back.
``I really didn't have much confidence in my shot, but once one went in, I said, `I'll make another one. It can't be that hard.' ''
Eller's effort was marred only by a second-half injury that had Larry and trainer Tracy Thomas support her as she limped off the court. Eller got tangled up with the Rams' post players going for a rebound and landed wrong on her right knee. It's the same knee Eller had surgery on last year, and she was due to see a doctor Sunday night.
``Basically, the bottom part of my leg went in while the outside part wanted to go out,'' she said as it was being iced afterward. ``Those two directions just don't mix.''
Eller's injury - and the continuing absence of senior Sarah Willyerd, who sat on the bench in street clothes, still recovering from back problems - were the only sour spots for ODU (11-2, 3-0) as it rolled to its third CAA victory.
Three days after being routed by Tennessee, the Lady Monarchs were back back in sync. Five players scored in double figures. ODU shot 50 percent from the field and outrebounded VCU 47-39.
In addition to Eller's 15 points, Clarisse Machanguana scored 11 and Shonda Deberry, Aubrey Eblin and Angie Liston had 10 each.
Sells, a first-year coach who at age 25 is the youngest in Division I, said the Rams' strategy called for VCU (7-7, 1-3) to shoot the ball early and take a gamble on the perimeter. That backfired as ODU hit 9 of 16 treys, including three each by Eller and Eblin.
VCU trailed 40-24 at the half and got as close as 15 in the second, but a 17-3 ODU run dashed any plans for a rally. Mona Karlsson, one of three Swedish starters for the Rams, had a career-best 18 points.
Afterward, Sells, whose Rams have faced Western Kentucky, Oklahoma and Duke this season, had some thoughts of her own about the polls.
``I think ODU is getting screwed,'' she said. ``They've beaten Georgia. They're ranked below them. They've beaten Colorado. They're ranked below them. I don't think they're getting the credit they deserve nationally.
``In my mind they're a lot better than a top 15 team. I think they're a top 10 team.'' by CNB