Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, February 11, 1995 TAG: 9502150018
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: CHRIS KING STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RADFORD LENGTH: Medium
If an opposing team can withstand the onslaught for 32 minutes and emerge victorious then so be it.
Friday night, Radford got a taste of how difficult it can be to stop its stampeding Three Rivers District rival in a 64-50 loss at home.
For the first 8 minutes, 10 seconds the Bobcats (6-11 overall, 2-4 district) controlled the tempo, and led 15-8 behind nine points from Foster Ridpath. Then came the inevitable as the Buffalos (12-4, 4-1) continued to come in droves.
``We weren't trying to slow it down,'' said Radford coach Rick Cormany. ``We were just trying to be patient. You have to be able to control their press before you can do anything. But they kept running people at us, and playing trapping defense. They have a good scheme, and they got us to play a faster pace and it wore us down.''
After committing only two turnovers in the first quarter, the Bobcats handed the ball over 24 times in the final three.
Floyd County trailed by seven points early in the second quarter before asserting itself and taking control. The Buffaloes ripped off seven points in short order to knot the game at 15.
Shortly thereafter, the Buffalos took over for good. Sparked by the play of freshman Travis Cantrell, who scored seven of Floyd's last 13 points of the half, the Buffalos went into the lockerroom leading 28-21.
``Travis does a good job for us coming in and contributing,'' said Floyd coach Alan Cantrell. ``We have several kids who do a good job giving us a spark off the bench.''
In the second half there would be no need for spark off the bench.
Led by its trademark stifling defense, Floyd scored the first eight points of the third quarter to increase its bulge to 38-21.
``Defensively in the second half we really picked up the intensity,'' said Cantrell. ``Offensively we executed much better in the second half. It was a good overall game for us.
``Last week we seemed to have a lot of momentum. I thought the layoff might hurt us but we picked up where we left off. I feel real good about our team right now.''
In the decisive third quarter the Buffalos hit eight of 13 shots from the field and comitted only four turnovers. Floyd led 51-32 going into the final period, and eventually widened its lead to 64-36.
``We only have eight guys, but they have worked too hard to quit,'' said Cormany.
Ridpath led all players with 17 points. Brian Harman led the Buffalos with 14 points and Cantrell added 12.
Floyd County made 22 of 43 shots and limited the Bobcats to just 18-of-43 shooting.
by CNB