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Show - Mailman delivers wake-up call to Nuggets Triathlon By Jared Page Signpost sports editor No more surprises. No more records. The dream is over. The Denver Nuggets became the first eighth seed to upset the top seed in the history of the NBA playoffs with their 3-2 series victory over the Seattle SuperSonics. Then, in their best-of-seven series against the Utah Jazz, the Nuggets became only the second team to force a seventh game after trailing 0-3. Would the Nuggets become the first team to ever win a seven-game series after trailing 0-3? Not if Karl Malone had anything to say about it. The Nuggets and its hopes of a berth in the Western Conference finals were tossed aside Saturday afternoon in the Delta Center as Malone led a focused Utah Jazz team to a 91-81 victory and a 4-3 win in the series. "I can't say how big this win was for this organization," Malone said. "Sometimes the cream does rise to the top." After taking a commanding 3-0 lead in the series, the Jazz put their backs against the wall as they dropped three straight to the Nuggets. With the series tied at 3-3, the Jazz were placed in a must win situation. Fortunately for Jazz fans, Utah rose to the occasion. "After having a 3-0 lead and having them battle back and give us another tough game, we're just glad that it's finally over with," Utah guard Jeff Hornacek said Another 'dream' awaits Jazz in conference final The Utahjazz has had plenty of time to prepare for its first two round opponents, San Antonio and Denver, as both Midwest Division rivals met the Jazz five times during the regular season. The Western Conference Finals will be no different. The Houston Rockets, another Midwest Division foe and Utah's next opponent, will host the Jazz tonight in Houston at 7 p.m. The two teams split the season series at 3-3, with each team winning twice at home and once on the road. One encouraging note for Jazz fans is that the Rockets won the first two meetings of the year and are only 1-2 against the Jazz with Jeff Hornacek. Houston's three victories after the game. Before the start of the game, it was difficult to determine whether it was being played in Utah or Colorado as a number of Nugget fans staged a Denver pep-rally in front of the Delta Center. Inside the building it was a different story. Malone, in what he called the game of his life, lit up the scoreboard for 31 points on 12 of 23 shooting. He also grabbed 14 rebounds and handed out six assists. were by 2, 5 and 15 points; while the Jazz notched wins by 16, 10 and 4. Utah will have its hands full trying to contain center Hakeem "The Dream" Olajuwon, a Most Valuable Player candidate and the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year. Utah center Felton Spencer said he expects a tough series. "They have a talented team. Hakeem is playing terrific basketball now. I think we have confidence in our abilities and we're going to go out there and play them as best as we can." In Houston's three wins over the Jazz, Olajuwon averaged 35.3 points and 15.3 three rebounds. In Utah's wins, however, Olajuwon averaged only 22 points and 7.6 rebounds. Hornacek, who finished with 18 points and seven assists, said it was Malone's play that got the team going. "Karl took over tonight. It was great. It gives everyone a big lift when he plays like that." Denver head coach Dan Issel agreed. "(Malone) had a great game and great players play well when the stakes are high. Hornacek got hot in the second and took over where Karl left off." The game started slowly, as both teams had trouble scoring. With 4:11 left in the first quarter, the score was knotted at 6-6. "I think it was 6-3 at one point," Hornacek said, "and I was running down court with (Denver's) Reggie Williams and I said, "boy, this is an ugly game.'" It may have started ugly, but Jazz fans would forget all about the rocky start as Utah went on to win and advance to the Western Conference Finals for the second time in three years. After leading 46-38 at half time, the Jazz extended their lead by as many as 20 points on two occasions in the third quarter and went into the final period leading 74-59. But the Nuggets wouldn't die. After a steal by Dikembe Mutombo, Robert Pack's layrup cut the lead to eight with 2:26 remaining. The Jazz withstood the run and traded baskets with Denver for the final two minutes and ended up with the 10 point victory. "By no means will I take anything away from the Denver Nuggets," Malone said. "They've been great. They have a team that coaches live for. They don't do a lot of trash talking, they just go out and play." Utah Coach Jerry Sloan said that the win was exciting for him, but that he really respects the Denver Nuggets organization. "Their coaching staff and everyone involved with the organization certainly deserve a great deal of credit." From page 1 1 by Lance Capener with a time of 1:10.03, followed by Michael Oge . at 1:10.31 and Tony Spanos with a 1:15.44 mark. "Even though many people didn't come out this year, those who did are winners in my eyes," Moore said. "People must remember that this is a very difficult event to participate in because you have to train for three different events andnotjustforone. It's a three for one deal." In attempt to avoid the attendance problem next year, the intramural department plans to advertise more for the event. "What people don't realize is that this is an event that is open to the public as well and not just for Weber State students and faculty. We encourage all to participate," Moore said. Repeat From page 1 1 top four places. Another outstanding performance came form C.J. Hardman, who won the 400-meter hurdles with a 1.00.74 time. DeniseSpriggs helped the WSU's team total with a third place finish in the 3,000-meters and Michelle Sloan-Huff did the same with a sixth-place finish in the 5,000-meters. Ranae Friend notched a fifth place finish in the javelin with a career best throw of 134-feet-ll inches. Do meet these requirements? Verified veteran of any branch of the U.S. Military Have at least a 2.5 Cumulative GPA Currently take at least 12 credit hours and pay student fees Plan to be a full time student for the next academic year TXT i 1 t . -. J want to help the students ol Weber State Have the time to dedicate to serving as a Student Senatqt If you answered yes to all these questions, then consider interviewing tor the new Veteran s Student Senator position. As a senator, you will have the opportunity to provide input into what nappens at Weber State! C 3 or more information or to sign up for an interview, please call 626-6349, or stop by the epartment of Student Activities Office. Interviews will take place June 1st, with the senator chosen by June 3rd. DONT DELAY! c i'l |
