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Show PACE 10 THE THUNDERBIRD MONDAY JANUARY 11, 1988 'Birds win twice in Centrum BY JAY HINTON $ The Thunderbird men's basketball team ran its record to 6 with two rather impressive wins over Cal State Dominguez Hills 85-7- 3 and The Fresno Pacific 121-6victory over the Sunbirds was the largest victory for the 'Birds this season and the 121 points scored topped the year's achievements as well "We iive been trying to emphasize defense lately," said captain Derrick Williams. "We came out tonight and showed that we can play defense as well as score points Our goal was to hold them under 70 points, and we did that " The 'Bird defense plaved like a team with a purpose. Offensively, SUSC moved out in front quickly and when Jerry Naulls stole the ball and laid it in to give the 'Birds a 13-- 0 lead, the pattern of the game was made clear Using a full court man pressure, the defense held the Sunbirds scoreless until the 16' 13 mark in the fust half On the other end of the floor, the 'Birds controlled the offensive boards, scored points and increased their advantage. "Our guards are playing outstanding defensive pressure," said Head Coach Neil Roberts. "We're getting a lot of cheap baskets because of our defense causing turnovers " Between Naulls, Michael Alexander and Rhet Parsons, SUSC produced eight steals, 18 Fresno Pacific turnovers and 45 points With the help of Naulls' three-poibucket and foul, Williams slam dunk and foul, and Alexander's found jumper, the themselves comfortably ahead 34-- 1 1 with just under eight minutes to play in the first half After Fresno Pacific called time out with 5:47 to play in the half, the Sunbirds went on a 13-- 2 but scoring run to cut the 'Birds lead to 47-2that was as close as the Sunbirds came. When 8-- 55-poi- 6 nt rC Rhet Parsons drives tor the bucket in Saturday over Fresno Pacific s 12 8, victory d Naulls dished off to Ted Thomas for the had upped their lead to dunk, the 57-3- 0 at the half The second half followed the same pattern as the first halt, but Roberts cleared his bench Interestingly enough, the 'Birds bench added to held such leads as 33 the lead The and 55 points Larry Shurtliff 47 points, points, nailed two consecutive three-poihoppers for the final tally 121-6"The things we're trying to do are starting to get done," said Roberts. "I think rebound wise we were really strong tonight. It's the best we outrebounded the have been " The Thomas led the squad with 17 Sunbirds 56-3boards, and Williams had six rebounds. Thomas led all scorers with 23 points. He was followed by Naulls with 22, while Shurtliff, Alexander and Williams had 16, 15 and 12, respectively. The 'Birds had no problem in defeating CSDH Wednesday evening Upending the Toros 85-7- 3 After the Toros cut the early lead to 39-3- 6 Roberts called time out The time out took the wind out the the Toros' sails because with 2 20 remaining in the first half, Thomas nailed a jumper which put the 'Birds up At the half the were by 10 points 46-3up 48-4With 8 05 remaining in the contest, Paisons' steal and lay-u- p pushed the 'Birds out to their biggest lead of 22 points. The Toros managed to but fell 12 points cut the lead to the 85-7short Alexander led the 'Birds with 26 points, while Thomas had 21 and Parsons had 16. will be on the road tonight at The California Lutheran SUSC will be in the Centrum Jan. 13, 14 and 16 as Roberts' charges shoot hoops with Pacific Christian, Nebraska Wesleyan, and National College. All games are slated to start at 7.30 p.m. two-han- 3 6. 10-poi- nt 6. 3. 3, Panthers hand Lady 'Birds heartbreaker BY TIFFANIE FLORENCE 1. The SUSC women's basketball team suffered a devastating loss in the final minutes of play to the Panthers of Chapman College Thursday evening in the Centrum. The 59-5- 7 loss dropped the record to 7 on the season. The Lady 'Birds came out strong, clinching a lead with 11 07 remaining in the first half. The Panthers, with a glossy 3 record, looked like they were not going to With a put up a fight against the lead 23-1behind them the 'Birds seemed' confident when the Panthers called for a timeout. When the game resumed play at the 4 52 mark the 'Birds lost their air of confidence by striking a dry spell and were unable to score. The Panthers capitalized on this period by hitting four straight baskets, bringing the once lead to three at 24-2The Lady 'Birds closed the first half with a 27-2- 5 point lead. The second half opened with the Panthers' then lead, jumping out to a two-poihit a period where they were unable to score 5-- nt 8-- nt 1. nt and the 'Birds enhanced their lead to 40-3With 4 22 remaining in the game the 'Birds nine-poilead vanished to within one, 53-5- 2 as the Panthers came back on the attack. Corine Sandtry hit a three-pointgiving the Panthers an edge over the On an SUSC foul the Panthers capitalized at the line to increase to 59-5On a last second attempt the 'Birds were unable to score, giving the Panthers a one shot victory "We played some ot our best defense tonight, but were just unable to execute," said Anderson Sheri Davies was the leading scoier with 29 points, followed by Preston netting for 13 points. The Lady 'Birds return to action when they host three home games. On Tuesday the tangle with the Mavericks of Mesa College at 7.30 p m. u the Centrum. The Mavericks are struggling with a 8 record when they enter tne game. On Wednesday the face Pacific Christian at 5.30 p.m., with men following them at 7.30 p m Saturday the 'Birds begin a double netter as they play National College at 5 30 and the men play at 7:30 p.m. 31-2- 9, nt er the-lea- 7. 0-- junior guard Staci Sargent scrambles for the ball 59-5- 7 loss to the Chapman Panthers. in Thursday's |