OCR Text |
Show c Scoreboard C3 D Travel C8 The Daily Herald Sunday, March 10, 1996 Cougars on the bubble with the NIT Now that an NCAA tournament bid is out of the question, 3 will BYU's Cougars receive an invitation to play in the National Invitational Tournament when bids are extended tonight? "I certainly hope so. because I am not ready for it to end," said Ken Roberts, BYU's iron man 6-- 6 center. "I believe we deserve a chance to play again and I hope we get that call." The NCAA Tournament Selection Committee will announce the pairings for the Big Dance at 4:30 p.m. today on CBS, (KUTV, 15-1- stains traced! Utah, MSB New Mexi By DICK HARMON Daily Herald Sports Editor N.M. ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico used a hammering inside attack from freshman Kenny Thomas, a thundering Pit crowd and a timely bomb from a prev iously scoreless Greg Schorn-stei- n d to knock off in Utah 64-6- 0 the chamSaturday pionship of the First Security Bank WAC Basketball Tournament. Lobo fans flooded the floor on the Pit as the win ov er Utah likely took awav a No. 2 seed from the H)th-ranke- regular season champion Utes NCAA when are pairings announced later today. The Lobos. who had lost twice to Utah in the regular season, will represent the WAC's automatic seed and take the league's best record (27-4- ) with it. L'tah enters the NCAAs at 25-UNM's win. which was aided by a noisy home crowd, came off a triple overtime win over Fresno State Friday. The game boiled down to a pair shots by both teams. of ith 32 seconds to plav. trailing UNM's Schornstein Utah 60-5was left all alone and buried his. He was I for 7 until that shot. W 8. w ith 15 seconds left. 0 Trailing Utah's WAC Most Valuable Haver Keith Van Horn used a double screen to launch his trey which missed. 62-6- The Lobos used a tournament MVP performance by 9 freshman Thomas to stymie the league's top defense through two thirds of the game. Thomas, who finished with 30 points and 17 rebounds, scored 18 of UNM's 6-- Dick s channel 2). There will be 64 teams chosen. The NIT will then sift through the remainders, use their own formula which plays high on television markets, name schools and records, and extend invitations to 32 other teams. This means, of the 305 Div sion IA teams, 64 plus 32 (96 teams) will be able to extend their seasons this week. The remaining 207 will hand in their uniforms, clean out their lockers and call it a season. Much depends upon who you talk to, but the Cougars are either finished, or may get an NIT bid. The talk centers on a long shot for the Cougars, losers of three of their last four games. Statistically, and according to ranking polls, however, show BYU is clearly under the 96 in terms of strength of schedule and performance this year. Last week's Sagrin Ratings had BYU No. 81 with a 78.41 rating. This put the Cougars ahead of Colorado State (87th at 77.88). The RPI ratings, used by the NCAA to help selection of tournament teams, had the Cougars at 94 and CSUat8I. "I think there are a lot of factors being taken into consideration." said BYU athletic director Rondo Fehlberg Saturday. "I'm certainly no expert, being a rookie to this, but it would appear the NIT has its own formula for determining who will play in their tournament. Record is one and name is another." team Fehlberg says a w ith .1 9 or 20 wins may be deserving to be in the NIT. but they may not attract the same notoriety as a BYU, Fresno State or Washington. "I think they want to have some name schools to even out their field and will consider a BYU with 15 wins. I hope so. Our guys are deserving of a chance at playing in the NIT." Roger Reid left Albuquerque with no feeling about what the NIT would do. "I have no idea what they will be looking at. w hat the politics are or who is in or who is out. We'll just have to sit and wait to find out." The Cougars cannot host a first round game due to scheduling conflicts w ith the Marriott Center (Ballroom Dance competition). But a second round contest could be available in Provo. "Trying to be objective, I think the NIT is a better tournament with name teams in it: that adds to its credibility." said Fehlberg. If an NIT bid comes, Randy Reid had one astute observation that could help the Cougars their emotions after leav ing Albuquerque earlier than they wanted: "It would be nice to play somebody different for a change. It really would." WAC commissioner Karl Benson said Saturday night the Utah-NeMexico game w as for not only the title but NCAA seeding; both were in. "I would hope Fresno State, with two wins over Utah and its great showing in the triple overtime loss to New Mexico, is also in. But I realize too that FSU is on the bubble." Benson said the WAC has shown it is deserving of three NCAA teams. "This year showed it and I would hope we get it heading into next season when we have 16 teams and deserve it even more." no-na- w Mark Michaelis played the game of his life to lead Utah Valley to a 93-7- 9 victory over Dixie in the 8 men's championship Region game Saturday. Michaelis scored 21 points, including nine in a key 4 run in the second half as the Wolverines earned their first-evtrip to the NJCAA Nationals. Brad Willden added 20 points while Danny Brotherson had 18. Derrick Elliott, playing his usual steady game, scored 14 and Brent Hawkins had 13. Elliott had six of his points and two crucial steals in the final four minutes of play. 7 Dixie led after Keon Clark's basket with 18:22 left in the game. But then UVSC went on a 44-2- 1 2 tear, grabbing an lead with 3: 10 left. The Wolverines in the outscored the Rebels 55-3- 2 second half. "Our kids just played as hard as they could," said UVSC coach Jeff Reinert. "They weren't going to give up. This team may be a team of destiny and do something at the national tournament." Kevin Simpson, the Scenic West Athletic Conference play er of the year, led Dixie w ith 19 points. Kawika Akina had 16, Clark 14 and Mark Bailey 10. Dixie took control midway through the first half, breaking 9 from a edge w ith a 1 run. 1 cold-shootin- g Brandon Jessie led the Utes with 16 points in what turned out to be a defensive battle. Utah shot 37 percent and UNM 39 percent. "They did a gotvj job keeping the ball out of my hands," said Van Horn, w ho finished w ith 14 points. Utah coach Rick Majerus. who dislikes what he calls the "meaningless" WAC post season affair, and likes even less playing on UNM's home court said "I don't know where we'll be seeded right now." "Kenny Thomas played hard and dominated inside at times," said Jessie. UVSC claims Region 18 title 9 then building a 43-3- 2 advantage on a 0 spurt in which Akina had five points. The Rebels led 47-3- 7 at the half. Michaelis had nine points as the Wolverines closed to w ithin 57-5- 4 w ith 12:34 left in the game. They continued to nibble at the Rebels' lead, eventually going ahead 69-6- 8 on two Willden free throws with 7:05 left. Dixie edged ahead 71 69, but Hawkins tied things w ith a basket at the 5:47 mark. Clark hit one 1 Dixie lead free throw for a before UVSC went ahead for good with on Brotherson's 5:15 to go. Brotherson added two free throws, Haw kins hit a trey and Brotherson got a rebound basket 2 lead. for that Utah Valley finished w ith a 46-3- 8 rebounding edge. Willden hauled down 15 and Michaelis had 12. Bailey led Dixie with 10. Elliott was selected as the MVP of the tournament. "Our kids are so special." Reinert said. "They hit some big, big shots. There are lots of winners around and we wanted to bring them into our program." Scott Benson, UVSC's team leader who has been sidelined for d of the season with about a broken leg, was one of six men honors. The selected for others included Southern Idaho's Marcus Wallace and Rusty Yoder, Eastern Utah's Versile Shaw, North Idaho's Troy Thompson and Simpson, the MVP. The second team included Dixie's Clark, UVSC's Elliott, Dave Isaacson of Ricks, Snow's Andrew,, Mavis. Matt Pinkney of Salt Lake and Eric Sanchez of North Idaho. The coach of the year is Rollie Williams of North Idaho. 72-7- 11-- er 81-7- 51-3- 81-7- 6-- 3-7- -- 1 21-1- 2 w By BOB HUDSON The Daily Herald Assistant Sports Editor 6-- By BOB HUDSON The Daily Herald Assistant Sports Editor Sidelines He steamrolls Dixie. 9 UVSC Wolverines take Region 18 crown in win over Dixie J U;4 Harmon points to end the first half. as 6 of 7 while the rest of the g Lobos went 3 of 23 after 20 minutes. In his two previous games with the Utes. Thomas had just 21 points and 10 rebounds. Thomas earned tournament MVP honors for his act on national television. Other members of the team were teammate Charles Smith. Van Horn. Colorado State guard David Evans and Fresno State's Dominick Young. final one-thir- II .v" ii .-- if-?- ; k . i x II vf Daily Herald Photo Matthew Smith Dixie College's Keon Clark, left, blocks a shot from Utah Valley's Mark Michaelis during first half action of the Region 18 tournament finals. Tricia Ferrin showed her MVP credentials Saturday as she led Utah Valley State's women to a 59-5- 6 victory over Southern Idaho in the Region 18 tournament championship. Ferrin scored 19 points as the Wolverines survived a late Golden Eagle charge. led 56-4- 9 UVSC, now 26-with 3:52 left. But, CSI, now 27-on layups by closed to 56-5- 3 Amanda Covington and Deanna Glover. After LeLei Salea hit a layup w ith :3 to go, the Eagles' Holly with 1:09 Henry hit a remaining. With about 35 seconds left, the Wolverines apparently got a break from the officials. The shot clock blinked to zero about the same time Ferrin tossed the ball off the backboard. She grabbed the rebound and restarted UVSC's offense. At the same time, CSI coach Joel Bate charged the scorer's table, asking why the clock had been reset since the ball didn't hit the rim. He didn't get a satisfactory reply, but the Wolverines got the ball back. seconds left, Ferrin With traveled. With 2.5 seconds remaining, Covington missed a layup and LeLei Salea grabbed the rebound for UVSC. CSI's Mandi Ortega fouled her and Salea hit one of two free throws for the final score. Utah Valley earned the right to play Yavapai Junior College out of Arizona Tuesday for a trip to the NJCAA Nationals in Tyler, Texas. That game will be in the David O. McKay Events Center at 7:30 p.m. "It's great to do it as a team," 4, 1 1 1 (See TITLE, page CI) Ogden girls seize 4A state title V By Carl Walters Special to the Daily Herald SALT LAKE CITY Three years of planning and work came apart in one quarter as the Vikings couldn't find the bucket or a rebound in an eight-minustretch that cost them the 4A girls state basketball title Saturday night at Salt Lake Community College The score was tied at after one period, and Linsey Fran-cor- n drove the middle to put the Vikings up to start the second. But eight straight points in three minutes by the Tigers started them on a 17-- 8 run that buried the Vikings' title hopes. Trailing 30-2- 1 at the half, the Vikings tried to rally in the third late in the period. Behind 44-3- 4 period, the Vikings scored a couple of free throws before the buzzer and got a trey from Rachacl Damon to start the fourth. But that was as close as they could come, as the Tigers took control again and cased to the victory. Francom topped Pleasant Grove, which ended the year at 17-with 17 points. Tirzah Church added 13. The Tigers 16-- 8 on the year, were led by Brooke Marcheschi with 22. Provo 53, Sky View 48 Lori Red took control, of the game in the second half as Provo overcame an eight-poideficit to take third place in the tournament. Jamie Marrotl started the game with two inside and Red nailed the as Provo jumped to a 0 lead. But the Bobcats scored the next eight points and built the lead to 27-1- 9 by half time. Natalie Overson opened the second half taking a nice wrap around pass from Diana Tobiasson. Then Red and Marrott combined to tic the score at 27. lead Sky View took a 36-2- 9 ; - te 1 3-- 7, Daily Herald PhotoJohn Blodgett Mountain View's Lori Henry looks for an open teammate above Davis' Jane Watts in Saturday night's 5A girls final. Bruins can claim they are the best By DOROTHY KNOELL The Daily Herald Assistant Sports Editor This one SALT LAKE CITY was for Larie Stewart. Oh. and for the Bruin boys basand the girls soc ketball team in 5-- 5-- A cer team. Whew! There were so many reasons for the Mountain View girls to win the 5A state basketball tide over the No. I ranked, undefeated Davis Darts that it's ama- -- ( See 5 A. lHeC2 J (Sail & ai M Daily Herald PhotoJohn Pleasant Grove's Tirzah Church hoists the second place trophy day after Ogden surprised the Vikings in the 4A tournament. early in the fourth. But Red and Jamie Clark each put in a pair of baskets, then when Overson hit two free throws Provo took the lead for good at 39-3- 8 with 5:35 to go. Red then scored half of the Bulldogs last 14 points as they began to slowly pull away. Red Blodgett Satur- led the way with 24. Clark came ott the bench for eight Timpview 57, Logan 50 '.. broke out of their The tournament blahs in the second 2 after one quarter. Trailing 13-1- (See 4A, Page C2) |