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Show Suns Tan Jazz, Enin Drews Return Special lo The Tribune PHOENIX - John Drew's return to the National Basketball Association wars after more than two months' absence was a success Wednesday night except lor the fact that he couldn't make the Jazz win. Drew scored 13 points in JO minutes of play, but he and the rest ol the Jazz were helpless to stop a Phoenix flood of third-quarte- r points that vaulted the Suns to a victory, running the Jazz's streak of futility here to 14 straight games The Suns used a balanced scoring attack to snap a losing streak, while the Jazz lost their fifth game in a row. The Suns placed six players in double figures in scoring, led bv Walter Davis with 24 points 1 four-gam- e Danny Schayes had 24 points and rebounds to lead the Jazz 13 The Jazz got to play a weakened Suns team, in that Dennis Johnson, who usually gives Darrell Griffith a tough time defensively. had to sit out with back spasms The Jazz, led by Schayes' 11 points in the opening period, went right to work in their attempt to win in this haunted building for the first time since March of 1977, when the franchise was still in New Orleans. They took the lead early in the quarter and ran off the last eight points of the period for a lead 28-1- 9 With the Suns having trouble finding the range, the Jazz increased the , lead to 14 points. early in the second quarter. But then the Suns got help from the bench in the per son of Kyle Macy. who shot Phoenix back into the game. With Davis scoring 10 points and Macy nine, the Suns outscored the Jazz 23 9 over the next six minutes to finally catch . up at Schayes scored the next five points to help the Jazz get to the locker room with a halftime lead, and they probably should have score on nine consecutive possessions while Adams was helping the Suns lake control. The Suns finished off their I: it quarter, in which they shot 69 percent, with another run of eight in a row for an 85 69 lead en termg the final 12 minutes 53-4- stayed there. The Suns just blistered the Jazz in that third quarter, outscoring them Reserves Alvin Scott and Kory White combined to score 14 points in the quarter to inspire the Suns, who held the Jazz to only one basket in the first six minutes The Jazz's last lead was but the Suns took command with a run of 10 straight points, Alvan Adams getting eight of them. The Jazz failed to 36-1- 6 58-5- The Jazz were never able lo threaten in the fourth, as they tell to 18th loss in 24 road games It their w as their 30th loss of the season, and their current record is only one log at game better than their the 48 game mark a year ago Drew was appearing in an NBA game for the first time since Nov 19. when he scored 20 points for the Jazz against the Bulls in Chicago lie spent two months undergoing treatment for drug rehabilitation and has spent the last HI days with the Jazz 0 17-3- 1 fbc Halt Jake tribune Section G Thursday, February 3, 1983 Page getting ready for tils return He gut into the game at the start of the sec- fust shut at quarter tempt, a fatlaway jumper, lie drew a On Ins ond foul from Maurice Lucas ;.nd made two free throws On his next Held By goal try, he drilled a the time (tie game was over. Drew had made five of nine Irom the floor and all three ot his free throws ior 13 points The last time the Jazz played and lost here, back on Nov. 4. Drew also had a good game, scoring 18 (mints. The evening was not such a success lor Mitchell Anderson, the rookie forward who got Ins lirst NBA start ,1 ,1 missed five of Ins seven shots and wound up with 10 (mints and eight rebounds. Still, the Jazz did get a combined 23 points out of the Anderson Drew rotation Fbr Recorded Scores Call Local 237 2025 1 at small forward, and that position should become more ot a strength as they become mole settled Schayes had 18 points and 11 rebounds by hulllime, and he wound up shooting It) lui 16 in a solid 40 minutes ll was Ins lirst 20 point garni' since Dec 26, when he scored 21 .it Kansas Ciiv. and it comes on the heels oi his etfort against Philadelphia Saturday, in which tic drew some ugly reactions from the Jazz Ians. Gritfilli had 21 mints tor the Jazz on a day when lie learned lie would not be un the Western Conlerence r tea in. The seven reserves were announced earlier in the day, and Darrell was not among them. George Gervm. Gus Williams, and Jim Iaxson were the reserve guards t all-sta- Sports Information Call 237 2001 BgffBgggaBi Oilers Set To Battle Salt Lake NBA: K.C. Rally Shocks Bullets Tribune Wire Services Kansas City Coach Cotton Fitzsimmons was glad he took Ray Williams out for a rest in the third quarter that left the veteran guard fresh for the Kings drive in the stretch. "Toward the end of the third quarter, I took Ray out and rested him to keep him fresh for the finish, Fitzsimmons said after Williams three-poin- t play gave Kansas City a National Basketball Association victory over the Washington Bullets Wednesday night in Landover. Md. By R.C. Roberg Tribune Sports Writer The Central Hockey League race has developed like a Shakespearean tragedy for the Tulsa Oilers. The Oilers are among six characters on stage and it is inevitable that some of them are going to be stuck with daggers pretty soon. And one of those daggers could be applied in the next two weeks by either the Salt Lake Golden Eagles or the Indianapolis Checkers. It will remain to be seen if it will be a fatal blow to the Oilers' playoff chances. Tulsa has found nothing but trouble on the road, losing six of its last 10 games. Now, the Oilers find themselves facing a pair of games Thursday and Saturday nights against the Golden Eagles. Faceoff both nights is 7:30 p.m. in Acord Arena. This is just the beginning of an eight-gamstretch in which the Oilers will encounter the Eagles and Checkers. That's on the mind of Tulsa Coach Tommy Webster, although the Oilers took a giant step forward with a victory Tuesday night at Indianapolis. This stage of the season is perhaps the most important for the young Oilers. It could go a long way in determining whether they will have any realistic chance ot making the final four come April. come-from-behi- 117-11- 5 I stayed with my same front line, but when I put in Ray he was ready to go, Fitzsimmons said. I don't know if Ive ever had as big a win as a coach." said Fitzsimmons after the Kings made up a deficit in the final 13 minutes e to snap a losing streak. e Williams three-poiplay with three seconds remaining in the game culminated what Fitzsimmons called a "super comeback" and gave Kansas City a victory that seemed impossible when Washington held a lead with 1:16 remaining in the third quarter. nt 2 Presently, Tulsa finds itself 24 points off the pace set by the Colorado Flames, But Webster isn't looking that far ahead. His immediate Golden goal is the fourth-plac- e Eagles. e The Oilers open a set with Salt Lake beginning Thursday. Tulsa trails the Eagles by 11 n games still points with a to be played between them. homc-and-hom- half-doze- In the first 10 games, the Eagles have won eight and lost just twice. One of those setbacks came on Nov. 9 in the Salt Palace. Like the Eagles. Tulsa has been besieged by a rash of player movements to the parent New York Rangers. Thats left Webster with a group of young and eager players prone to making fundamental mistakes. Webster has been tossed into a teacher role, in addition to his coaching expertise. Yet. despite having one of the worst won-los- s ratios in the league, Coach Evans feels the Jack Eagles' Oilers are a far better team than their record would indicate. be tougher than they "They'll have been in the past." Evans said about the upcoming series w ith Tulsa. Evans based bis comment on the improved play of former NHL veteran Steve Weeks. Weeks has led the Oilers out of the CHL basement and into a position to challenge for a See Page Column 5 (1-- 95-7- 2 Kansas City trailed by a point when Eddie Johnson got ready to Utah States Michael McCullough (10) has added spark to Aggies offense. He leads i I Aggies against Fresno State in important PCAA game Thursday night in Spectrum. throw in the ball from midcourt with three seconds to play. "I was waiting for the ball." said By Ray Herbat Tribune Sports Writer LOGAN Nicknamed Pokey" by teammate Lance Washington because he is a slow eater, Michael McCullough of Utah State has been gobbling up points since midseason like a young man one step from starvation. McCullough, the junior forward of the 15-- Aggies, puts his new diet on the line again here Thursday night (7:30 p.m.) when defending PCAA champion Fresno State invades for a rematch. The Bulldogs held off Utah State's late surge two weeks ago to post a w in In Fresno. However, in defeat. McCullough was brilliant, scoring a career-hig22 points. That started a string-wher- e the native of Rancho Cordova, Calif., rolled up 75 points in four straight games. But as much as one wishes to discuss offense with McCullough, the thin man likes to talk about his defense. "It will be all business Thursday night." said McCullough, the young man Coach Rod Tueller calls his best defensive player. "After losing at their arena, we know a couple of things we will have to do against a 6-- 5 4 66-6- 2 h By Steve Luhm Assistant Sports Editor Four coaches who have faced BYU and Utah a combined total of 10 times this season see Saturdays Western Athletic Conference showdown between the Cougars and Utes as a matchup of size and shooting ability against defense and quickness. Utah State's Rod Tueller, Weber s Neil McCarthy, San Diego State's Sniokey Gaines and Wyomings Jim Brandenburg previewed the game Wednesday afternoon. Tueller, who finished against rivals this season, the two thinks the first BYU-Utagame oi the year involves a couple ol teams that are "relatively even 0 h USD's Hud Tueller Likes the Matchups l MtHnicy Hvcovvrin Salt Lake Tribune Sports Editor John Mooney is recuperating from eye surgery. His column. Sports Mirror, will resume upon his return. Williams. "I called Eddie's name twice before got it. (Washington's) Ricky Sobers didn't gel on me until I got the ball. Sobers was helpless as Williams dropped in a jumper from the left baseline. After Williams made the ensuing free throw. Sobers attempted a jump shot at the buzzer that was off the mark. 1 28-fo- Williams. Johnson and Mike Woodson scored the Kings' last 30 points and helped Kansas City raise its record to The Kings were led by Woodson s 28 points and John24-2- son added 23. Washington, which had won three straight games, was led by Frank Johnson's 22 points. Jelf Roland added 19 122, Lakers 120: At Dallas. Vincent hit a shot as time ran out to give the Mavericks an upset win over the Lakers. The Lakers had tied the game at with 1:15 to go cm a Jamaal Wilkes Mavs Jay 120-12- 0 free throw. Vincent partially anil blocked Bob McAdoo See Rage G-- a shot Column McCullough, Aggies Host Fresno Tonight Pokey Hopes Recent Point Blitz Continues team that plays defense as well as they do. "We will have to be stronger with the ball, and we will have to go meet passes when they come to us. not wait back and let them come through and steal. Of his defense, McCullough offered: "I am really pleased again this year with my defense. I look forward to playing it. However, I don't think Ive had my big game yet on defense like I did last year against Kevin Magee (Irvine) or Fred Rob- erts (BYU)." McCullough, voted the Aggies' top defensive performer of the 1981-8season, credits the new-looAgs with making his job easier on defense thus far. Tin on a team that, think, plays very solid team defense. Last year, we weren't a very good defensive team, but that has changed drastically because everybody works hard 2 k 1 now. Why the difference? "Attitude." answered the B' student majoring in political science. "I think it all came together after when we won those first couple of games. It really doesn't matter who the games were played against. Aa win or two against fter going anybody was a big lift. We liked how it felt and we just became determined to go out and do it everytime." Utah State surprised the area basketball world by winning 10 of its first 11 games this season. McCullough got off to a slow start, averaging below double figures. Now, however, thanks to the midseason spurt, he's chipping in with 11 points per game, and that's a good average considering Tueller almost insists on balanced scoring All five Aggie starters average in double figures. "We are a team of mellow personalities. but stable people, McCullough said. "Last year, one or two of the guys would get a bit out of control with their emotions, and that hurts the team's effort. There is no problem this year. Everyone has meshed together. McCullough noted that conditioning and redcdication has meant a lot to the 1982-8squad. I've always 3 been able to apply myself, but durI worked exthe tremely hard, strictly on basketball, nothing else. But I wasn't the only one. Then, we came back in the fall and went through the toughest conditioning program we've had here. A lot of us moaned and groaned through the hard work. But I wouldnt have it any other way now, because when you are on the floor in the final few minutes of a up tempo game, it is so obvious we are in better condition than our opponents." McCullough has a varied His father traveled a great deal in the Air Force, and the family moved from Omaha, where he was born, to northern California, back to South Dakota, and back again to northern California. He is one of six children. As a youngster, Michael remembers; "In the 7th, 8th and 9th grades was a skinny kid with a big mouth, but 1 liked to play. I really bloomed as a junior and senior and picked Utah State because I took a liking to Coach Tueller and I liked the cam ing "It should he a great game," Tueller said. It's obviously important to both teams I think BA D has mure size, hut Utah has mote quickness Reallv, though. Iliov match tip well. Utah Slate heal BYU I 7 3 09 and 80 this year, while the Ags handed Utah an thrashing at Logan before winning at the Special Events Center. But Tueller says the 68 82-6- 4 67-6- 6 Cougars and Utes have both changed since then. I'm sure both coaches tlunk their team has improved since they played us." Tueller said. "BYU lias settled on a lineup since then and (Devin) Durrant has really developed. Utah has been helped by the day of (Manuel) Hendrix. He's given them a lot of quickness. Those are a couple subtle things that have helped both clubs Tueller figures Utahs Pace Man-niomight draw the defensive assignment on Durrant, the WAC's top scorer, and that duel could be a key. "Both guys are outstanding," the "M.mnion is Aggie coach says Utah's glue, and he's playing super. From a fans' standpoint, tli.it mat" chup will tic tun to watch Tlic difference1 Tueller looks inside It i looks like a push to IIIC." he said "But (Greg) Kile has some experience and size on (Chris) Winans. If you're looking for a difference, that might be it because, otherwise, these two teams are really bookends. McCarthy, whose Wildcats beat . but lost to Utah says it's tough for him to compare the teams. "We played BYU in Ogden and Utah in Salt Lake," McCarthy explained "That makes a difference I don't know who's going lo win Saturday night, but know Utah is awfully tough to heat at home. They are a lot more aggressive at home." McCarthy secs a cuupk of keys to tlic outcome "Wl.al BYU docs with Durrant w ill tic important." the Weber coach said "If Utah can hold him down, it BYU 84-8- 1 will help them. And M.innion is a great defensive player. A lot will depend on whether Utah can stop l)ui rani "Also, the way they (the ottieialsj call the gam" will be important n bucK-groun- 1 Coaches Who Have Been There Like jk r Utah-Y- . pus and the academics." McCullough didn't choose his defensive assignment Thursday, but he gets forward Ron Anderson, who is two inches taller and who averages 14.3 points per game for Boyd Grant's Bulldogs. Anderson is a point or so under Bernard Thomp15.9 average. sons Thompsons 20 points paced Fresno in the first meeting, while Anderson added 15. The other Bulldog starters include center Mark Gustin. and guards Tyrone Bradley and Mitch Arnold. Fresno State's overall record is and the Dogs stand in the league. Fresno once again leads the nation in defense, allowing just 48.9 points per game while scoring 55.8. The Aggies average 77.7 on offense and give up 68.5 Tueller expects no major changes in his lineup. Greg Grant (13.9 ppg and 3.9 rebounds). Ron Ence (13.0 and 5.9), Washington (10.4 92 assists), and Chris McMullin (11.7) join team-leadin- g 0 12-- 3-- McCullough . The Ags got a setback Wednesday night, however, when sixth man Eric senior forward, was Petersen, a poked in the eye during practice. He will be out 10 days. 7 Match Utah is very aggressive on defense, and if they are allowed to play that way, it will be an advantage. McCarthy, more than the other three coaches, felt the fact Utah is playing at home will be a factor. "It's gut to be worth several points," he said Still, he sees a finish. "1 doubt if either e team more than three, will win by said McCarthy, whose Wildcats host Idaho State Saturday night. "Hey, it should be a teams are on a roll Im sorry we're playing at the same time. It'd be a fun game to see." good one. Both ; Gaines lost to both Utah and BYU three weeks ago. but he remembers the loss to the Cougars most "11 BYU plays like they did against us it will be no contest." the San Diego State eoaeli said 'With (Bretti Applegate. Durrant and (Scott) Snick, they have some good shooters And I'd give them an Column See Page f (64-57- (96-74- G-- i 1 M $ Welier's Neil McCarthy Predicts Close Game 1 I |
