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Show SPORTS Standard-Examiner Friday, Dec. 13, 1991 9C FEY PSs: Hot Jazz SIDE LINES swing Big talk Charles Barkley hasa lot to Le into L.A. say in his new book, but denies someofit. Finished A tearful Dexter Manley runs into more drug probiems, and quits the NFL for good. 11C By TOM McEACHIN Standard-Examiner staff ERs: NBA LOS ANGELES — On thesurface,it has the makings of another classic Utah-L.A. matchup. Utah comesinto tonight’s game (8:30 p.m. MST on PSN Cable) with a five-game Cleveland 134, Atlanta 107 Houston 99, Golden State 96 Sacramento 106, Orlando 100 couple of imposters. SPORTS SHORTS The high-flying Los Angeles team is the Clippers — not the Lakers — and the Utah team is one that has wonthree straight on Nixon returns to Atlanta the road — against playoff teams. How rare is a six-game winning streak for the Clippers? They have to go back to 1979 to find one longer. Andhowrare is a three-game Jazz road winning streak? It matches their second-lon- ATLANTA — Otis Nixon, wholeft the Atlanta Bravesin their pennant drive with a cocaine suspension, decided not to leave for good. Thurs- gest streak from last season, and a victory tonight would match last year’s longest. While the Clippers have been winning close games at the buzzer, the Jazz have rediscovered a winning approach to defense on the road. The key for the Jazz is to hold the opposition to under 100 points. “One of the things that’s happened to us on the road thelastfive or six games is that we haven’t gone out and tried to score 120 points ourselves,” Coach Jerry Sloan said. “We’ve gone out with the idea we’ve got to keep the gamewithin reach. Wefeel we can get to a hundred points if we can stop the other team.” The magic numberis indeed 100 for the Jazz. Their 7-7 road record breaks down this way: They are 6-1 whenthey held the opposition below the century mark; they’re 1-6 when they haven't. In fact, in the last five games overall, the Jazz have given up just 91 points a game; they gave up 115 in the five games before that. The Jazz aren’t quite ready to label themselves as world-beaters, though. “We have a ways to go. We have been fortunate the last few times out,” said Jazz guard John Stockton. “For example, Blue (Edwards) hits a shot for us in San Antonio, f we get a couple rolls in Houston. But you have to proveit year-round. If we quit right now with seven wins on theroad... it isn’t a very good season. We have to go from here and try to keep getting better.” Sloan was more blunt in his assessment. “When you start feeling good about yourself you know what happens,and it happens really fast,” he said. Backup center Mike Brown said the Jazz were overdue to win on the road. “We had a few games that we lost close, a couple overtime games and right now we Just stepped it up a level and those games are starting to come back around and we’re winning the close ones on the road,” Brown said. “The key is to just sustain that because we are a very, very good team at home.” JAZZ NOTES: University of Utah basketbail coach Rick Majerus was in the stands for Wednesday's Jazz-Lakers game at the Fo- rum. ... The next Jazz victory will be No. 500 day, with 72 stolen bases, signed a three-year Nixon deal with the Braves — two years guaranteed with a third year at Nixon's option, the same structure the California Angels used to nearly snare = The Associated Press LCSC forward John Hines (33) finds himself double-teamed by the University of Utah’s Phil Dixon (right) and Paul Afeaki (behind Hines) during first-half action Thursday night in Salt LakeCity. Utes uncork a 22-point victory University of Utah — sans Grant — shakes off 74-72 loss to USU By JOHN YOUNGREN night, but it’s easy to hit some shots in games like this.” Standard-Examiner correspondent SALT LAKE CITY — Bythe end of the University of Utah’s 22-point victory over Lewis-Clark State College Thursday, the walk-ons were playing, the Utah coaching staff was relaxing and most of the announced Huntsman Center crewd of 14,078 was leaving — early. In other words, things were pretty much back to normal for the Runnin’ Utes — who shook off their 74-72 overtime loss to Utah State Tuesday with a put-it-in-thebooks 84-62 victory over the NAIA Warriors, who hail from Lewiston, Idaho. Utah took a 7-0 lead early, pushing it to a 14-point, 44-30 edge at intermission. In the second half, the Utes punched the margin into the high twentysomethings as Phil Dixon (four three-pointers) and Antoine Davison each scored 14 points; M’Kay McGrath notched 11 and Thomas Wyatt added 10. “We played hard; we took good care of the ball (only 10 Ute turnovers),” said Utah Coach Rick Majerus, whose team improved its early-season record to 7-1. “Phil (Dixon) and someof the others hit some shots to- Utah played Thursday without star for- ward Josh Grant, who wasin street clothes on the Ute benchin his slow recovery from knee surgery. Still, it wasn’t like anybody was kidding anybody Thursday. In fact, with his team’s finals week ap- proaching and his pronounced emphasis on academics, Majerus knew the gameagainst the Warriors would be just what it was: “Welooked at this as a win,” said the Ute coach, whose team will almost surely {all from its lofty No. 10 perch in next week’s polls following its upset loss to the Aggies. “We've got exams tomorrow and next week,” Majerus said. “That’s why I book a dog like this.” Utah, for the record, will close out a busy game with an 8-2 record. “But it was great for us. I was really pleased with the way our kids competed.” Pfeifer was somewhatfrustrated, however, that his team allowed Dixon the opportunity to hit all those home runs, despite the fact that “he was the biggest guy we talked about,” Pfeifer said. The Warriors also had the distinction of giving up “The Shot” to Utah’s Craig Rydalch, who was 0-for-13 from thefield in six games leading into Tuesday. Rydalch got the biggest ovation of the night when he popped a three-pointer from theleft base— with 13:45 on the clock in the second half. “It’s been a long process of getting back,” said Rydalch, still getting in shape following stretch with a gameagainst Cal State Northridge Saturday in the Huntsman Center that much-ballyhooed off-season ankle surgery. “(The shot) felt good.” (7:35 p.m.) before taking a week off for ex- “I was so happy (Rydalch) made that shot,” said Majerus, with a nod to the un- ams. The Utes won’t play again until Dec. 21, when they'll be at Wichita State. usually savvy Ute fans and their applause. “I won’t kid you — Utah outclassed us “To see the crowd react that way, you the whole way tonight,” said LCSC Coach George Pfeifer, whose team came into the would have thought we had just won the (Western Athletic Conference title).” Wildcats trave! south to take on the Thunderbirds OGDEN — Playing on the road is never an easy task in college basketball, and for Weber State Saturday’s game at Southern Utah will be the first time the Wildcats have ventured out of the confines of the Dee Events Center this season. The Thunderbirds are one of the premier independent teams in the = country and ars coming off road wins at Illinois State and Evansville. Southern Utah also played New Mexico State and Nebraska, i both NCAA tournament teamslast season, to close ball games before the Aggies and Cornhuskers pulled away at the end. Weber State Coach Ron Abeggien said the Thunderbirds might be the most talented team the Wildcats have played so far this season. “It will be good for us,” Abegglen said of the short road trip. “It’s the first time we've been on the road together. We can kind of concentrate on Weber State has done a pretty good job of concentrating on Southern Utah, having won eight of the nine games played between the two schools. Saturday's contest will be just the second game in the series played at Cedar City. WeberState basketball | WSATURDAY: At Southern Utah, 7:30 p.m. at The Centrum. & MONDAY: Oral Roberts, 7:35 p.m. at Dee Events Center. @ RADIO: KSOS AM 800. @ WEBER STATE RECORD: 3-2. @ SOUTHERN UTAH RECORD: 4-3. MORAL ROBERTS RECORD: 3-4 @ LAST MEETING: WSU 92, SUU 88, 1990; WSU 83, ORU 80, 1975. @ SER‘ES RECORD: WSU leads SUU 8-1; ORU leads WSU 2-1. @ KEY MATCHUPS: The Wildcats’ David Baldwin, Al Hamilton and Anthony McGowan will face a strong and athletic frontline in the T anderbirds’ Davor Marcelic, Dana Achtzehn and Kerry Sherwood. Marcelic and Achtzehn lead SUU in scoring. Weber State, with its depth at guard, could keep constant pressure on both the Thunderbirds and Titans guards @ NOTEBOOK: Against the Wildcats, Oral Roberts will be playing its third game in four days. The Thunderbirds roster includes two former Layton sion I basketball, the Thunderbirds are trying to make a name for themselves and get to the NCAA tournament byplaying a difficult schedule. Later this season, Southern Utah plays Montana, San Diego State twice, Idaho twice and UTEP. “We need to play good people,” Roberts said. The Wildcats are still smarting from their 14-point loss to Utah State last Saturday, but Abegglen says WeberState will be ready for the Thunderbirds. Southern Utah is led by 6-foot-6 senior Dana Achtzehn on the in- minutes against Evansville. Roberts and Abeggien have met several times before as coaches when Roberts was at Dixie College and Abegglen at Snow College. Weber State’s opponent on Monture two of the better inside players think we were down a little bit the Wildcats will play against this Monday and Tuesday.” season in Sebastian Neal and Ray the players we would like to take Thompson. a game. Back from all kinds of in- Roberts said. “Our players know each other.” Steward is scoring 13 points per game and forward David Baléwin 19 points per outing. All but two Titan players are trans- In just their fourth year of Divi- Weber State should get a big The Raleigh (N.C.) Bullfrogs are The four-week-oid Global Basket- cheered by supporters and the team bstages. And kids jusi do the darne- “Ribbit, Ribbit!” Backers of the Mid-Michigan Lakers in Saginaw love the antics of mascot Sammy the Slammin’ Salmon, a fish with an attitude. The oe (Ga.) The league has white basketballs, female referee, some of the mer anges! nicknames and mascots professional sports and has froa rarity — a game was ined out because of a leaky arena imucec be Sharpshooters showcase 37-year- oid Al Smith, an L.L_L. (local living legend) who leads the league in three-point field goal fers from other schools. 11 GBA franchises have taken (N.C) Flyers. At the bottom im attendance are the two Tennessee teams, the Memphis HotShots and the Music City Jammers of Nashville. Both attendance counts. “The thing that has surprised me between such minor leagues as the Continental Basketball Association so far is ine overall caliber of and the World Basketball League. And th re are others seeking a play,” Storen said from GBA head- quarters in Atlanta. “We thought it would be good, but I'm amazed that the product is as good as it has been.” There is a grab-bag of hoops talent. Some players have NBA experience, such as Memphis’ Keith Lee and Fayetteville’s Stuart Gray. Others, such as Louisville's Milt ‘Mont fans in the cities of most of their teams. said the league per-game attendance average is just under 3,000, ahead of the 2,000 he projected. Eariy attendance leaders are MidMichigan, the Huntsville (Alz.) Lazers, Albany, the Louisville Shooters and the Fayettevilie GBA comminsioner Mike Stoven Wagner and Alfredrick Hughes, have made a nice living bouncing > DiMaggio stopper dead at 75 MILWAUKEE — KenKeltner, the Cleveland Indians third baseman who made two outstanding backhand plays to stop Joe DiMaggio's record 56-gamehitting streak, has died of an apparent heart attack. Keltner, who was 75, was found dead Thursdayat his suburban New Berlin apartment after he did not arrive at St. Luke’s Hospital to visit his wife, Evelyn, who had a stroke several months ago. DiMaggio went 0-for-3 on July 17, 1941, when Keltner made his twostopsat Cleveland’s Municipal Stadium, and then threw DiMaggio out both times. The golden anniversary of the streak was this summer and Keltner was honored along with the former New York Yankeesstar. In 13 seasons in the majors, Kettner hit .276 with 163 home runs and 852 RBis. ee TAKE A TICKET Former WSU star heads to Europe OGDEN — Former Weber State women’s basketball player Melanie Knott left this week for Delft, Holland, where she will join the Festo Team in mid-season as a replacement guard. Knott will play for Festo two-time Big Sky points per game. Guard Anthony ton. Barton scored 16 points in 10 suspended Nixon for 60 days for failing a drug test. weekend at the Cougar Classic in “We've got a lot of experience,” jury problems is 6-9 Richard Bar- commissioner Fay Vincent for the remainder of the season and will return the first part of April to complete her degree in physical education Knott, a four-year starter for the Lady Wildcats, was a niors. the Thunderbirds with their top seven scorers being juniors and se- average. Sut on Sept. 16, “Their post offense is outstanding,” Abeggien said. “I've probably watched them about 20 minutes and I was pretty impressed.” The Titans, going into their players scoring close to eight points side and 6-7 Devor Marcelic on the outside. Achtzehn is scoring 23 points a game and Marcelic 22. The Thunderbirds have four other shots in certain situations.” Al Hamilton continues to lead the Wildcats in scoring at 22.4 Montreal last April, hit .297, 69 points abovehislifetime SPOTLIGHT this weekend,” Abeggien said. Provo, won the Marshall University Tournament with impressive wins over South Florida and Marshall. Oral Roberts is back at the Division | level this season after spending several years at the NAIA level Southern Utah Coach Neil Roberts said experience also counts for million. Nixon, acquired from “Jason Joe's playing his way back into shape. He'll see some action tudea little bit,” Abegglen said. “I “We'll start adding a few wrinkles to our offense as we progress,” Abeggien said. “We're getting into where we've got a few games under out belt now and we kind of know is worth $5.6 million to Nixon; over three, it would be $8.1 Giris basketball: Harry Burchell Classic, at Bonneviile High, 5 and 7 p.m. Prep basketball: Weberat Ben Lomond, 7 p.m. day night, Oral Roberts, will fea- The Wildcats have also put in him. As a two-year pact, the deal with the return of senior guard Jason Joe. Joe appeared in his first game of the year last week against the Aggies after being sidelined with tonsillitis and to work on his academics. “We've tried to work on the atti- more plays for their offense. Utah's only win against the Wildcats was a 92-90 win in overtime in 1986 at Ogden. The Wiidcats committed a season high 27 fouls and 24 turnovers against Utah State iast Saturday. boost against the Thunderbirds &Some crazy stuff going on in Global Basketball Association R@beli Association is still in its infant the speedy outfielder, who | set a club season record since the franchise moved to Utah. Standard-Examiner staff 13¢ New Jersey 121, Denver 81 Milwaukee 109, Washington 97 winning streak while L.A. has won six straight. But look a little closer and you’ll find a ; By JEFF SIMON 13¢C second chance at a pro career, like New York playground legend Lioyd Daniels of Greensboro (N.C.), who is trying to overcome drug addiction. “You see some of these guys and you wonder why aren't they im the NBA,” HotShots coach Dana Kirk said. “It's because there's not enough jobs in the NBA for all the See CRAZY on 10C we All-Conference first team selection and a two-time Kodak All-District 7 pick. A two-time Weber State MVP, Knott led the Lady Wildcats in scoring the past two years ard was among the Big Sky Top Ten in scoring, rebounding, field goal percentage, free throw percentage and assists in September, Knott was named as the Utah Sportswoman of the Year in Basketball by the Utah Network for Giris and Women in Sport. |
