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Show SUSC downs Mesa in NAIA District tourney unsurmountable 11 point lead at 85-74 on a pair of charities by Amos James with three minutes remaining. For the T-Birds Robin Haight was tops on the board and picked up. 11 points. Bernie Leavitt added 12. James was credited with 9, Kerry Rupp added 6 and Bryan Schlapkohl assisted with 2. Southern Utah State College T-Birds T-Birds won a pair on the road over New Mexico Highlands and Western New Mexico last week and the two victories boosted the Birds into a tie for second place in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference and a berth in the NAIA District 7 playoffs at Grand Junction, Colo. The Thunderbirds Tuesday night got sweet revenge over the champion Mavericks of Mesa College by defeating them on their home court in the opening round of the District tourney. Steve Hodson led the way Tuesday with a 30 point output including several crucial foul pitches in the final minutes of play. The T-Birds defeated Mesa 95-86 95-86 to advance to the finals, which were held Wednesday evening at Grand Junction. The national defending champions of Grand Canyon College easily defeated Westminster West-minster College in the opening round of the NAIA tourney and it was SUSC and Grand Canyon Wednesday squaring off for the right to advance next week to the national finals in Hutchingson, Kan. SUSC and Mesa battled on near even terms through the first half of play with the host mavericks holding a three point edge at the intermission 44-41. SUSC came bouncing back strong and quickly took the lead in the second half on the strength of Lee's outside shooting - he had 23 points on the evening - and Hodson driving the middle. The Mavericks bounced back, however, to take the lead on a five point play that involved a foul, a technical against Coach Stan Jack and a bucket. The five points gave the Mavericks a 67-66 lead with 9:53 on the clock. With seven minutes remaining in the game and with the T-Birds holding a slim 4 point lead, they went into a controlled game and took the Mavericks out of their game plan. Mesa fouled and the T-Birds hit as they opened up an |
