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Show THE DAILY UTAH CHRONICLE Thursday, January 11,2007 Duke loses second straight, falls to Ga Tech ATLANTA — R a ' S e a n . Dickey scored a seasonhigh 21 points, Javaris Crittenton made two key baskets down the stretch and Georgia Tech held on for a rare win over No. n Duke, beating the Blue Devils 7463 on Wednesday night. Duke (13-3, 0-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) lost its second straight, failing to bounce back from a shocking home loss to Virginia Tech, and is off to its worst start in the ACC since 1996. That same season was also the last time Georgia Tech (12-4, 1-2 ACC) had defeated the Blue Devils at Alexander Memorial Coliseum, Duke won 21 of 22 over its conference rival, including five straight, before a loss that sent the Georgia Tech student body charging onto the court. Jon Scheyer led Duke with 16 points. Dickey scored Georgia THE ASSOCIATED PRCSS Duke forward Lance Thomas shoots while defended by Georgia Tech center Ra'Sean Dickey during the first half of the Jackets' 74-63 win over the Blue Devils, Duke's second-straight loss. Tech's first 10 points and finished 6-of-8 from the field and 9-of-n at the foul line. Crittenton had 11 points, but he seemed right in the middle of every big play when it mattered most. After Duke whittled an 11point deficit down to 55-53, the freshman guard came up with a steal and drove in for a dunk that swung the momentum back to the Yellow Jackets with 3:35 remaining. After a Duke miss, Crittenton dribbled quickly the other way and flipped a lob pass to Thaddeus Young, who couldn't pull off a spectacular dunk but hit a layup that pushed Georgia Tech to a 59-53 lead. Finally, after the Blue Devils missed again, Mario West led the fast break and found Crittenton streaking in off the right side. The freshman took the pass and laid it in, despite a hard foul by Greg Paulus that sent the Georgia Tech player tumbling to the court. Crittenton knocked down the free throw tofinishoff the three-point play, putting the Yellow Jackets up 62-53 with 2:47 to play. For good measure, Crittenton came up with a steal in the final minute that finished off Duke's comeback hopes. And he made the last basket of the game on a layup, despite taking a pop to the face that sent him off with a bloodied nose. The youngster didn't mind a bit. Anthony Morrow added 19 points for the Yellow Jackets, going 3-of~5 from 3point range. Overall, Georgia Tech was 7~of-i2 from beyond the arc. The Associated Press Coughlin to remain Giants coach CALDWELL, N.J.—Tom Coughlin was given a oneyear reprieve to turn the New York Giants into a legitimate contender. While the team's owners didn't give him an ultimatum, their message was clear. "I think he knows we need to do better, that our expectations arc much higher," co-owner John Mara said in a conference call Wednesday. "I think we have enough talent on this roster to do better." Mara and co-owner Jonathan Tisch gave the 60year-old coach a one-year contract extension through 2008, an agreement reached just days after the Giants were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs for the second straight season. It was a disappointing finish for a team that won the NFC East in 2005 with an 11-5 mark and thought it had a Super Bowl shot coming into this season. A 6-2 firsthalf fueled those expectations. However, injuries to seven-time Pro Bowler Michael Strahan and leading receiver Amani Toomer, dumb mistakes and a sub-par second half by quarterback Eli Manning led to a 2-7 finish that caused fan unrest and put Coughlin's job in jeopardy after New York's 23-20 playoff loss to the Eagles in Philadelphia on Sunday. In the two days that followed, Tisch and Mara talked football and future plans with Coughlin, and he convinced them he could make Manning better and the team a winner. "He has a vision and he understands how that vision can now move forward," Tisch said. "He did not have to save his job. He did not have to talk us into anything." The owners didn't ask Coughlin to make any of mail. But at the end of changes and they said they the day, you can't make dewere satisfied he was the cisions on what the fans say, right man to lead the Gi- but what your eyes tell you and what your experience ants. "Tom Coughlin is our in the game tells you." Coughlin, who has a 25coach for 2007 and hopefully for many years after 25 record with the Giants, that," Mara said. "That is plans to meet individually with his coaching staff in the final decision." Hopefully is the key word, the next week. Change is though. If there is another probable, disappointment, the Gi- Coughlin made one move ants might be knocking on down the stretch, relieving the door of former Steelcrs offensive coordinator John coach Bill Cowher or Notre Hufnagel after the Saints game and giving quarterDame boss Charlie Weis. "When I become con- backs coach Kevin Gilbride vinced that somebody in the play-calling duties. Despite reports that playthis organization is not capable of doing the job any ers were tuning out their longer then we arc not go- no-nonsense coach, Mara ing to hesitate to take ac- insists Coughlin still has tion," Mara said. "That is the respect of the team. not the case here. I believe "I don't buy that," Mara that Tom is an excellent said. "I think there is subcoach and I believe that we stantial support for him." will win with him." Strahan agreed. Coughlin, who was to "I know the perception is earn $3 million in 2007, ap- that he is unapproachable preciated the decision but and distant from his players, but that's not the case," said he wasn't surprised. "I did not have any feel- he said. "I had some of my ing I wasn't going to be re- best conversations with tained," Coughlin said in a him this season, and he showed me how much he separate conference call. Terms of the one-year cared about me as a person extension weren't immedi- and as a player." ately available. Mara said a major part of Strahan, who missed the interview process was eight of the last nine games, listening to what Coughlin middle linebacker Antonio had to say about Manning, Pierce and Pro Bowl tight and he was satisfied with end Jeremy Shockey all wel- the answers. comed Coughlin back for a "Eli needs to play more fourth season. consistently," Mara added. "Like I've been saying, "He would be the first one to the coach is the real deal," admit that. Something that I Pierce said. "He's a good have been concerned about coach and he does a good is his play over the second job and we all share in what half of the season. There is nobody in this building that happened this season." Some fans, probably those doubts his ability and that who called for Coughlin's feels like he is not the guy job in the wake of a 30-7 to lead us to where we want loss to the Saints on Dec. 24, to get to. But he has to play won't be happy with the de- more consistently." cision, Mara acknowledged. Coughlin believes Man"I am certainly sensitive to ning will improve next year, what the fans think," Mara his third as the starter. said. "I have received a lot The Associated Press ELLIOTT GOES FOR WIN NO. 500 E R T only four players returning from last season's group that finished at a paltry 2-14 in conference play, CSU isn't expected to make much of a splash this season. continued from Page 10 The Rams did, however, "Our new goal is to just manage to defeat fellow not get into our own heads," MWC basement-dweller Air Filipe said. "Make a mis- Force by nine earlier this take—who cares? Shake it week. off. Just give your teammate One factor contributing a handshake." to CSU's woes is the team's Focusing on emotional youth. responses has already had a The Utes are considered positive effect on the team, a young squad because of coach Elaine Elliott said. their shortage of seniors and The Rams (6-8, 1-1 MWC) because at least three freshwere picked to finish ninth men usually play significant in the poll—dead last. With minutes. As for CSU, seven freshmen joined four upperclassmen this season. With only three non-freshmen in the core of players who see much action, there isn't always a lot of experience out on the floor for CSU. The Utes will try for their 10th win of the season and Elliott will go for her 500th victory in a 24-year career at the helm of a team that has, under her stewardship, blossomed into a nationally recognized program. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m. in Fort Collins. n.dicou@ chronicle.utah.edu UP ^ A F -iirusiry 23rcl 8pm Visit The Chronicle online! Front Section $49.99 • General Admission $24.99 www. dailyutahchronicle. com Call EGO 585 3717 New Donors earn $35 today and $75 in your first week! In (hf liven I C c n l i T I n i J I'lwi-cn CihjBJ.im LI fa OJM-- Cvirnn-i Donating Btood Plasma! Study while you donate. Free WiFi Available. Help us Save Lives by Calling: ROCK MUSIC 606 West Temple 609 South State St. 2520 W. 4700 S. 531-1279 363-7697 965-9160 Biomat USA LOUNGE FEATURING THE CRASHERS j A h 2 - U Students! 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