The Daily Chronicle from De Kalb, Illinois • Page 9

DAILY CHRONICLE DaKdbSyomor Thurtdoy, Dcmbr 26, 1 991 9 In ten seasons the Mid-Continent has made its name Chronicle r4 mitisssm -107 I lJ champions were rewarded with trips to an NCAA or NTT. Cleveland State made the breakthrough in 1986. With a 27-3 regular season overall record, the Vikings received an at-large berth into the NCAA Tournament. To go back further, Cleveland State gave themselves the opportunity by "beating DePaul on national TV during the season," Samuels said. Clinton Ransey scored 27 points and Eric Mudd added 16 points and 10 rebounds in Cleveland State's NCAA Tournament win over Indiana.

That game drew the biggest headlines of the first round. The Cinderella Vikings weren't done. Ken "Mouse" McFadden scored 23 points in a 75-69 win over St Joseph's before David Robinson's Navy team rallied to beat Cleveland State 71-70 in a third-round game. While Cleveland State was opening some eyes in the big show, Conference runner-up Southwest Mis souri State added to the league's good news in the NTT. The Bears beat Pittsburgh 59-52 and Marquette 83-69 before losing to Florida 54-53.

Coach Charlie Spoonhour's Southwest Missouri team followed with three straight NCAA appearances, including an at-large berth in 1990 when Northern Iowa won the Mid-Continent tournament and then stunned Missouri in the first round of the NCAA. Last March, the Mid-Continent again had two teams in the NCAA regular season champ Northern Illinois and tournament Champ Wisconsin-Green Bay. So anyone who asks who the Mid-Continent is these days simply hasn't been paying attention. They could watch the NBA playoffs the past few years and see Eastern Illinois product Kevin Duckworth starting at center for the Portland Trail Blazers. How surprised they would be to learn that Duckworth doesn't even make his own college coach's starting five of an All-Mid- CHICAGO It was March 14, 1986, in Syracuse, N.Y when the question first arose.

What, pray tell, is the Association of Mid-Continent Universities? Is that what AMCU really means? Four years earlier, the AMCU had been conceived, but until that Friday afternoon in Syracuse, very few had noticed, fewer still cared. But when Cleveland State knocked off Bob Knight's Indiana Hoosiers 83-79 in the fist-ever appearance by an AMCU team in the NCAA tournament, suddenly people wanted to know who are these guys, and what do those initials mean? These days after several other conquests and after Wisconsin-Green Bay's Tony Bennett was a Pan American Games starter the questions of initials no longer have been asked. The name has been changed to Mid-Continent Conference. Even if name changes have confused a few, Mid-Continent basketball teams have spoken for themselves on the court Mid-Continent coaches no longer have to answer what used to be a frequent question. "We'd go into a home recruiting and say Mid-Continent Conference and the kid would say 'is that Division Western Illinois coach Jack Margenthaler said.

"We don't have that problem any more." Margenthaler and Eastern Illinois' Rick Samuels are the two coaches who have been with the league from the first growing pains to this 10th season. "What we've accomplished in 10 years has been astounding, frankly," Samuels said. The two deans of Mid-Continent coaches haven't been able to bask in as much glory as some recent league champions, but Margenthaler and Samuels helped get things rolling. Margenthaler's Leathernecks won the first league title in 1983-and then the league's first post-season tournament in '84. Samuels' Panthers won the 198S league tournament.

Those were the days before Mid-Continent Continent first-decade team. Samuels, perhaps Duckworth's biggest fan, realizes his 7-foot center spent most of his EIU days developing into one who finally earned all-conference honors as a senior. The top player, I think in terms of accomplishments as a college player, would be Tony Bennett," said Samuels. Bennett, who led his father Dick's Wisconsin-Green Bay team to the league tournament last year on the Phoenix's home court is on pace to break McFadden's conference career scoring record of 2,256 points. Also last year's leader in assists, Bennett impressed much of the country this past summer serving as the playmaker for the U.S.

Pan American team in Cuba. "Gene Keady said all of those guys are going to be millionaires some day," Margenthaler said. "I think that will speak well for the league next year if he goes in the first round of the NBA draft" Former Southwest Missouri guard Winston Garland and former Eastern Illinois guard Jay Taylor, the league's single-season scoring record holder, have both spent some time in the NBA. Samuels picks those two on his Mid-Continent all-decade team along with McFadden and another of his former EIU stars, Jon Collins, Continued on page 11. as Magic story fops for AP NEW YORK (AP) The Associated Press top sports story of 1991 was Magic Johnson's announcement that he tested positive for the virus that causes AIDS.

Nov. 7 announcement received 338 points and 29 fir.it-place votes in balloting released Wednesday by the AP. Johnson, who had led the Los Angeles Lakers to five NBA titles, announced at a dramatic news conference that he was retiring from pro basketball because of the positive test. Minnesota's tense seven-game victory over Atlanta in the World Series was second with 236 points and three first-place votes. The Twins beat the Braves 1-0 in 10 innings in Game 7, the fourth game of the Series decided on the final swing.

Mike Powell's long-jump record was third with 177 points and two first-place votes. He jumped 29 feet, 412 inches on Aug. 30 at Tokyo, breaking the previous record of 29-2V2 set by Bob Beamon at the 1968 Olympics. The New York Giants' 20-19 victory over Buffalo on Jan. 27 in the closest Super Bowl ever was fourth with 120 points, followed by Nolan Ryan's record seventh no-hitter, a 3-0 victory over Toronto on May 1.

Ryan, who struck out 16 and walked two in the game, received 1 12 points and one-first place vote. The Chicago Bulls finished sixth for their first NBA championship, a five-game victory over the Los Angeles Lakers that ended with a 108-101 win on June 12. Duke's upset 79-77 victory over defending champion UNLV in the NCAA basketball tournament semifinals on March 30 was seventh with 109 points. Carl Lewis' world record of 9.86 seconds in the 100 meters on Aug. 25 at Tokyo was eighth with 94 points.

Lewis was four -hundredths of a second faster than the previous record of 9.90 set by Leroy Burrell at the VS. Championships two months earlier in New York. The advance of 39-year-old Jimmy Connors to the semifinals of the U.S. Open tennis tournament was ninth with 78 points. Connors was eliminated in the semifinals on Sept.

7, losing to Jim Courier 6-3, 6-3, 6-2. The Sept 9 indictment of former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson on rape charges was 10th with 65 points. Tyson's loss to James "Buster" Douglas was the AP's top sports story of 1990. CIIICACO (AP) Michael Jordan didn't put on much of a show for a Eudnce. Luckily the Chicago Bulla- did need much from f'-7i fM4 enough to win and played very hard at that, especially itcr tie ccrl-Jcrs cf playing on Cfcrfctmas tight," Jordan said the lz3 Ct CeKki 121.09.

c'y 14 points, 15 below his league-leading average, bat watching his teammates take the limel'ht Tri Z' try fc force It when I see that I'm not making the shots," siIJ rli bzit cy sat of 14 Held goals and HnLhed wfca 14 points. It wu V.5 A c-ipst zce November 1923, when be was held to 14 by the Los lt tdlar me that someone else steps up and gets the Job done as lorjfs we wia," sid Jordan. Sct'J-i crsltei the scoring limelight against the Celtics, scoring 27 poir-ts over tte mark for his NBA career. H. 7:3 tint's the CTerence with the Bulls the past couple of years Czzzi't have to have a bot hand every night for the Bulb to win.

There are going to be nights when other people are going to step up and take over," Pigpen said. Tonight I had a lot of opportunities to take ad-vantage of and score." BJ. Armstrong added 18 points and Ilorace Grant 17 points and a-game 12 rebounds for Chicago. "I got my Christmas wish today that was for us to stay in the game and win it," said Grant It was Chicago's third consecutive victory and 20th In its last 22 The EuEs extended then unbeaten streak against Eastern Conference opponents to 9-0. Boston's road record slipped to 5-7.

"We were Jasf outplayed in every aspect," said Boston coach' Chris Ford. I They were the aggressors and we just stood around and watched." tkk Fox tr-ed Boston with 21 points. j- Viez'J Lewis added 29 points, but Larry Bird chipped In only eight, 14 below Lis tzzzon average. I just didn't get my own shot Maybe I wasn't moving enough," LirdsJ. The EiiCs were ahead 55-46 at halftime after leading by as many as 10 points la the first 24 minutes.

Stacey King opened the second half with two baskets, a steal and an assist in a span of three minutes to spark a 10-4 ran that put Chicago in front 65-50. The EoXs slowly Increased their lead to 22 points in the third quarter, which ended wlh Chicago ahead 92-72. In the final quarter, Craig Hodges hit the Bulls first 3-point shot of the game, then sank a long two-pointer to put Chicago in front 10273. Another basket by Hodges from 3-point range had the Bulls ahead 114-82 and both teams went with subs the rest of the way. Scott ripjri rJ.

a r. Is-ad from the Celtics Reggie Lewis during the Bulls borne Boston. (AP laserphoto), The gz-s wzs at 6-6, 8-8 1 i 14-14. The Bulls first lead after 2-0 was 17-14, a ree-pebt py by Pippen. Boston stayed close and trailed oz'j 23-22 1 1 crd of tie quarter.

Jordan got only a single basket in the opcil-j rL and Lewis each had 10 points. itvTCH C- t(fd 4-U H) CmM S-11 10, Prih J-9MS, Bagtoy 0-4 UwHi S-17 SO, Foi 7-13 MO SI, lua 11, $nW 2 2-2 KMn -7 0-0 12, Vrnkovtc 0-2 0-40. ToUI 3040 ao-2n a Plr-i US 9-19 37, Gram 17, KIrfl 14 ft, Puaoft 44 04 6-14 2-3 14, Par 4u -7 S-4 13, Amxrtmng -1J 0-6 11, Kanwm 2-S 0-0 4, Uvingaten 0-2 0-00, William 14 14 4, 8od-a 4-7 04 1 1, RmmUt 14 04 Total 4747 2441 121. Soan 22 34 26 27 19 32 S7 9o goate Koon 14 (F 1-2, MeHal 0-lj, Chicago 3-12 (Hotfgw 3-4, Plppwi 0-1, Jordan 0-1, RmxMI 0-1, Uvtngaton 04. Amtrong 0-3).

Foutod out Non. Robounda BtMton S7(8lfd wucaga jwam rq. MMtauboaton (twowit snaw 8), uueago a (Htppm row Lions, Raiders each boast four selections on NFL All-Pro team Associated Press All-Pro team, which was announced earlier this week. That tied the Lions with the Raiders for most selections for the team, which was chosen in voting by 82 media members. Running back Barry Sanders, nose tackle Jerry Ball, inside linebacker Chris Spielman and kick returner Mel Gray were Detroit's All-Pros.

"Barry Sanders and Jerry Ball are well-known. They stand above the rest," coach Wayne Fontes said. "But to see Chris and Mel get recognition, that's really Thurman Thomas the NFL total-yardage leader and center Kent Hull. Houston's three players were cornerback Cris Dishman, guard Mike Munchak and receiver Haywood Jeffires, who led the NFL with 100 catches. Philadelphia had three defensive linemen join Ball up front: ends Reggie White and Clyde Simmons and tackle Jerome Brown.

Also on offense were Washington tackle Jim Lachey, Atlanta tackle Mike Kenn, Dallas receiver Michael Irvin and New England tight end Marv Cook. Included among the four Raiders on the All-Pro team were both kickers, placekicker Jeff Jaeger and punter Jeff Gossett "The Raiders have a legacy of great players," special teams coach Steve Ortmayer said. "These are two more that have come along to bring their performance level up to a Raider standard, so to speak." The other Raiders making the team were safety Ronnie Lott, an All-Pro for the sixth time, and guard Steve Wisniewski. Buffalo had quarterback Jim Kelly, running back 1 Huslde notebook digit scoring averages. Six-foot-two center Tanya Zachary leads the offense ana defense with 15.9 ppg and 11.4 rbpg, respectively.

Forward MikM Kane and guard Karen Alcorn follow in scoring at 14.7 ppg and 12.0 ppg, respectively. Kane is a dominant force on defense as well, grabbing 7.9 boards per game. In the triumph over the Lady Griz of Montana, four Utes reached double figures, including Zachary (17), Kane (15), Alcorn (14) and Susana Tauteoli (12). The win actually came from the free-throw stripe. of hit 21-ol-31 (.677) from behind the charity line, while of was 10-oM8 NIU leads the series 14 NIU notes: ft wasn't pretty for the Huskies.

Northern Illinois is stHI talking about that disappointing 69-62 loss to Manhattan College Dec. 21. anything, the squad learned a crucial lesson don't overlook anyone. The Huskies were still riding high after disposing of nationally ranked No. 6 Stephen F.

Austin 73-55 in a contest less than a week earlier. Still celebrating, NIU was surprised by the Jaspers' tenacity. NEW YORK (AP) The Los Angeles Raiders, a team of stars, might be expected to have a bunch of All-Pro players. So would the Buffalo Bills, Houston Oilers and Philadelphia Eagles. But the Detroit Lions? Yes, those Detroit Lions who made the playoffs for the first time since 1983 had four players make The Cowboys on roll LAKE FOREST, 111.

(AP) The Dallas Cowboys are headed in the right direction. But unless they turn around fast, the Chicago Bears are not The Cowboys come riding into town for Sunday's NFC wild-card playoff game cushioned by a five-game winning streak. Dallas finished second in the NFC East division with, an 11-5 record, its best since 1983. rebounding rapidly from its 1-15 season of two years ago. "Dallas is hitting on all cylinders now, and we definitely respect that," Bears kicker Kevin Butler said.

The Bears are- still numb from Monday night's 52-14 shellacking by the San Francisco 49ers, a debacle witnessed by a national television audience. Which are the real Bears the ones who fumbled away a chance to win the NFC Central Division and a first-round playoff bye, or the ones who posted a decent 11-5 record? "We had pretty good success through 15 weeks," linebacker Jim Morrissey said. "We just, have to get back on track." Quarterback Jim Harbaugh also chose to think positively before a Christmas Day workout which might have been avoided if the Bears had landed that playoff bye. "We've elected to go the hard way, so the hard way it is," Harbaugh said. "It's better than no way.

The main thing is we're still playing." The 49ers manhandled the Bears without much of a running game. But the Cowboys have balance: In addition to the NFC's top receiver, Michael Irvin, they boast the NFL's top rusher, Emmitt Smith. Smith ran for. 1,563 yards, the second-highest total in Cowboys history. Irvin caught 93 passes for 1,523 yards and was named to the Pro Bowl.

Steve Beuerlein has led the Cowboys to four of their five straight victories since taking over for injured starter Troy Aikman. Northern Illinois 4-3 at DePaul 4-4 Thl vwafc'a achaduta: Thursday, Jan. 2 Northern Illinois University at DePaul University, Chicago, Alumni Hat, 730 p.m. (CST). Monday, Jan.

6 Northern Illinois University at University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Huntsman Center, 730 p.m. (MST). Probable starting llne-upe: Northern Ulinota (44) Dee Dae Jeske, 54, E.C. Hill, 5-7, Cindy Conner, 6-1 Dian-na Wing is, 04. Tracy Mondek, 6-1, Sr.

Coach: Jan Albright-Dietorl; career record 12047 (8 years). DePaul (4-4) Sue Welenc, 5-10, Tammy Williams, 54, Cathy PazaVtz, 6-5, Rita Hale. 5-9. Stela Woodley, 6-2, Sr. Coach: Doug Bruno; career record 95-52 (6 years).

Utah (54) Karen Alcorn, 5-7. Tanya Smith, 5-9, Tanya Zachiy, 6-2, MikH Kane, 64 Susana Tautaoli, 6-1, Jr. Coach: Elaine Elliott; career record 73-22 (9 years). 'Record prior to Dec. 29 game at Idaho State, Dec 31 game at Boise State, and Jan.

4 game at towa State. Scouting report: DePaul A rivalry which dates back to the 1970s, Northern I li noil-DePaul contests almost always promise a heated barde on the court But this year provides a new twist since it is the first time In tour years the two squads are not meeting as North Star Conference toes. This year the Lady Blue Demons joined the Great Mdwest Conference in the first season of tie league, but that doeanl mean the rivalry is going to diminish any. DPU (4-4) closed out 1991 on Dec. 20 with a 74-51 victory over Chicago State University.

Center Cathy Pezdirtz led her DePaul teammates in both scoring and rebounding with 16 points and ran boards. The sophomore's 8.1 rebounds-per-gam average la th teams best The Blue Demons MC hit the floor with smoke coming out of their sneakers, as they war yearning for an upset win. Northern IKnois outshot host Manhattan with a 43.1 percentage compared to Ih Jaspers' 413 ehoovng percentage. But MC controlled the boards and the free throws. Manhattan grabbed 40 rebounds to the Huskies' 37.

and It hit 18-of-17 from the charity In while NIU was 9-oM 5. Northern Illinois' offense was paced by E.C. Hirs (ClcsyWhitney Young) 19 points, while Cindy Conner (ChicagoWhimey Young) pulled out a idoubt-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds. Tracy Mondek (Darter Hinsdale South) also reached twin digits with 10 points. Juat a law state: Conner currently leads all Huskie scorers with 17.1 ppg.

She and Angela Lockett (Gary, INHorace Mann) are at top of the rebounding charts, averaging 6.9 rbpg. Conner's 11 boards versus MC Saturday was a season best Hi) and Dee Dee Jeske (Shabbona) are the only other NHJ eager hitting double figure in points. Hit has 16.0 ppg, whil Jeske has 10.7 ppg. Inlury report: Debbie Tasks (Wisconsin RapidsAssumption) want down late In tie second half of tie Northern Ninois-Manhattan Col-leg game after twisting hr anloe. Because of the holiday break, the Huskies don't report tor praede until Dec.

28. Assistant athtoec trainer Stacy Mchalaki wont know Task' progress until tie tm reports in. National ranking: In Mat Green berg's Associated Press Top 25 Poll for Dec. 23, Northern Illinois ranks No. 40, up one from tie Dee.

16 pol. Trie Huskies ar ted tor tw 40th slot with Texas Tech. DePaul rates No. 36 In the Dec. 23 pol.

Albrlght-Dletert annotationa: (On upcoming road gam): -We're looking forward to seeing DePaul and Utah. We're sxtremeiy hungry, espedaty following that toss to Manhattan. We have to get used to playing on tie road. We've had a few bumps and bruises along tw way, but tm hoping we've learned soma lesson. A gam against DePaul always promises to be exciting." NIU women team up wtth YMCA a DCPSAFE: Coach Jan Aloright-Dieterle and her HuskJe players join tie Kishwaukee Family YMCA In a YMCA FamilySports Night on Friday, Jan.

10. ft is sponsored by DeKalb County Partnership tor a Substance Abuse Fra Environment (DCPSAFE). Participation open to all area children in Aral through eighth grades and includes taks from the coaching staff, games, and skils evaluations. There I no admission fee. but person registration la required by 5 pm.

Jan. 10. ADer-hollday apeciai: NIU's next home game, a 7 p.m. con last versus North Star Conference foe Cleveland Stat University on Jan. 11.

is Holiday Youth Game. AH non-Northern HHnois University students sre sdmined for $2. Looking ahead: Saturday, Jan. 11 Northern Illinois vs. Cleveland Stale University, DeKalb.

7 p.m. Monday. Jan. 1 3 North-em IKnois vs. University of Akron, DeKalb, 7 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 1 5 Northern Dinois vs. Southern Illinois University, DeKalb, 7 p.m. by Karl Bracken 1 vJt. lost a Mg gun tram last yean iimz team, which won the NSC post- 1 11 a h'i season tournament and competed in the first round of the NCAA Tournament Beth Hasenrniler graduated at the school's No.

5 all-time scorer with 100 points. Senior Stella Woodley and junior Rita Hale are doing their best to fill the shoes. Both average 11.4 points per game and rank in DPU's career scoring Nst Woodley is 1 7th with 619 points, while Hale la No. 26 with 409 points. The 199142 squad's leading scorer is freshman Megan Lucid, averaging 12.5 ppg.

Besides tie CSU win, other victories came against Southwest Texas Staet (65-56), Alabama (9146) and Georgia (6743). DePaul leads fie series with the Huskies 12-5. Utah The Utes have three games prior to meeting with the Huskies and they possess a certain amount of momentum sine of picked up a 78-76 oourjle-overtirrie win over Montana on Dec. 21. That broke a two-game skid where the squad had lost to Colorado (69-45) and to Texas Tech (84-76).

Three Utah players hold double- i. Leslie Pottinger, left, and her Huskie teammates travel to DePaul a week from today. (Chronicle photo)..