ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, February 23, 1996 TAG: 9602230044
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-5 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: PHILADELPHIA
SOURCE: RANDY KING STAFF WRITER
Shawn Smith came out of hibernation at just the right time for Virginia Tech.
Smith, whose recent struggles prompted a 45-minute meeting with coach Bill Foster on Wednesday, responded emphatically Thursday night at the Philadelphia Civic Center.
In his most productive outing in 12 games, the 6-foot-6 senior forward scored a team-high 17 points to help lead 12th-ranked Tech past stubborn La Salle 61-56 in an Atlantic 10 Conference men's basketball game.
The victory moved the Hokies (20-3 overall, 11-2 conference) back on top in the A-10 West Division, one-half game ahead of George Washington. La Salle, thwarted in its bid for a second consecutive huge upset (it beat GW on Sunday), saw its record fall to 6-20 and 3-10.
Like the majority of its A-10 encounters this season, Tech didn't get anything easy. The Hokies tried, but never could put away a team they beat 71-55 on Jan.10 at Radford University.
``It seems like at times that this club just figures out a way to win just when you think they're not able to,'' Foster said.
While all the close games don't do much for Foster's jumpy stomach, Smith maintained he and his teammates prefer tight finishes.
``Actually, we love close games,'' Smith said. ``When its gets tight we feel like it's our best time of the game. A lot of us have been together for four four years and we've gone through a lot of 'em together. Coach Foster would prefer we'd take care of business a little quicker, I'm sure.''
Smith, who had 46 points in Tech's past eight games, said his talk with Foster helped him relax again.
``I'm just trying to get back to the way Shawn Smith can play,'' said Smith, who led Tech in scoring the past two seasons. ``I know I can play. Coach Foster just said just go back to doing what I can to help the team out.''
Foster said the A-10 and all the zone defenses have thrown a curve at Smith, who has an arsenal of spin moves down low.
``There's so much zone in this league that it's driven Smitty nuts,'' Foster said. "People have been all over him.
``I've been hearing, `What's wrong with Smitty?' The only thing wrong with him is he was worrying about not getting his points. Tonight he got his points and did all the other things, too.''
Junior forward Jim Jackson also came up big for Tech. Jackson played a season-high 26 minutes off the bench as Foster went without a center for the game's final 16 minutes. Jackson had seven points and six rebounds, including a crucial offensive rebound with 13 seconds left that he turned into two free throws. Those tosses put Tech ahead five points and out of danger.
``We had to go small just to get some movement,'' said Foster, whose club led 27-26 at halftime. ``It enabled us to free up some people underneath, draw some fouls. And despite going up against a couple of 6-10 guys, we beat 'em on the boards.''
Tech, led by Jackson and Ace Custis, outrebounded La Salle 22-12 in the second half to help offset another poor shooting night. The Hokies, coming off a season-low 36 percent effort in their 74-58 home loss to No.1 Massachusetts on Saturday, weren't much better Thursday, hitting 19 of 47 (40 percent).
Tech did have its eye at the free-throw line, however. The Hokies hit 19 of 20 free throws, 14 of 15 in the second half. Smith was 7-of-7 and Custis 8-of-9.
This from a team that entered the game shooting 68 percent from the stripe.
``Good thing we made 'em tonight,'' Foster said. ``Nineteen out of 20 ain't bad. You don't see that too often.''
Custis, held to two points and one rebound in 12 first-half minutes, finished with a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds.
``I felt like I really hurt the team against UMass, so tonight I wanted to come out and do all the little things,'' Custis said.
Damon Watlington added 14 points for Tech, which will take the next two days off before facing Temple.
Mike Gizzi had 19 points and Romaine Haywood 18 to pace La Salle.
NOTE: Please see microfilm for scores.
LENGTH: Medium: 79 linesby CNB