Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, March 14, 1994 TAG: 9403140003
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: BILOXI, MISS. LENGTH: Medium
Clifford Rozier had 20 points and 17 rebounds as 14th-ranked Louisville beat Southern Mississippi 69-61 on Sunday, winning the Metro Conference tournament championship and the league's automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament.
Rozier, the two-time Metro Conference player of the year and the tournament's Most Valuable Player, hit consecutive inside baskets as Louisville opened the second half with a 13-3 run to take the lead for good.
The Cardinals (26-5), going to the NCAA Tournament for the 24th time regardless of Sunday's outcome, led 42-33 after Greg Minor's basket with 16 minutes, 6 seconds remaining.
Bernard Haslett scored 16 points for Southern Miss (15-14), which saw its improbable run at an NCAA berth end with the loss. The Golden Eagles had 10 losses by seven or fewer points, including 70-69 at Freedom Hall during the regular season.
Southern Miss closed to 54-53 with 7:22 left after Sam Jones' fast-break layup off a long rebound. After two scoreless minutes, Louisville reserve Tick Rogers had consecutive baskets to push the lead to 58-53.
Dwayne Morton added 17 points for the Cardinals and Minor had 10.
Louisville held a 22-16 lead after Morton's 17-footer with 8:28 left in the first half. But the Cardinals, after hitting eight of their first 14 field-goal attempts, made only two more before halftime.
Despite Louisville's shooting slump, Southern Miss could only tie the score at 29 when Damien Smith hit a 17-footer in the closing seconds.
After Herman Myers made a free throw to give the Golden Eagles their only second-half lead, Morton had a follow basket and Rozier had his two baskets - one on a follow and another on a power move inside - to give Louisville the lead for good.
Smith and Jones, who was 5-of-7 from the floor, each finished with 12 points.
by CNB