The Robesonian from Lumberton, North Carolina • Page 10

Page 10--The Hobt-suniaii. l.uiiihprton, N.C., Wednesday, January Fans Turn Out For The Hawks By ALEX SACHARE AP Sports Writer No matter what Bowie Kulin says, Ted Turner must be doing something right. A crowd of 9,194, the second largest of the National Basketball Association season in Atlanta, showed up at the Omni Tuesday night and cheered both the Hawks and their colorful new owner. And if Turner's goal is to sell tickets, the Hawks' spirited 113-109 upset of the Denver Nuggets certainly did not hurt. The victory snapped an eight- game Hawks losing streak.

They are 1-0 under the new management team of majority owner Turner and General Manager and President 'Mike Storen. Turner and Storen took over the club Monday, one day after Baseball Commissioner Kuhn suspended Turner from operating the Atlanta Braves for "conduct detrimental to baseball" in his pursuit of then- free agent Gary Matthews. "He'll begood for Atlanta and good for basketball," said Denver star David Thompson, who two years ago spurned an offer from the Hawks and signed with the Nuggets when they were in the American Basketball Association and was making his first appearance in Atlanta. Elsewhere in the NBA Tuesday night, the Golden State Warriors whipped the New York Knicks 120-110, the Milwaukee Bucks routed the Phoenix Suns 139-111, the Chicago Bulls trimmed the New York Nets 88-80 and the Portland Trail Blazers overwhelmed the Boston Celtics 128-84. The 38-year-old Turner drew cheers when he arrived at the Omni with Ijgone in the first quarter.

He promptly set about creating enthusiasm by leading a cheering chorus from his midcourt seat. He made a speech at halftime, urging fans to support the team by purchasing season tickets, and was among the first to arrive in the Hawks' dressing room to congratulate his club. Atlanta went ahead to stay with a nine-point burst in the third period that established an 80-72 lead. Denver, whose 24-11 record is the best in the NBA, twice pulled within two points before Lou Hudson's 22-foot jumper with 1:27 left made it 111-107 and clinched the victory. Warriors 120, Knicks 110 Rick Barry scored a season- high 38 points and Jamaal Wik kes added 23 as the Warriors snapped New York's threegame winning streak and built a three-game streak of their own.

Bulls 88, Nets 80 The Bulls broke open a sloppy game with a 16-6 burst in the third quarter. Mickey Johnson was Chicago's high scorer with 20 points. Blazers 128, Celtics 84 Portland outscored Boston 211 in a five-minute span of the secod half in taking command. Boston had trailed only 58-52 at halftime, but managed just 32 points in the entire second half. Bucks 139, Suns 111 Milwaukee got its fast break in high gear, moved ahead 77-55 at halftime and rolled up its highest point total of the season.

Junior Bridgeman led the way with 38 points. Three Terps Ejected As Maryland Takes Win Pembroke State's Braves are champions again of the Pembroke Invitational Basketball Tournament. They beat Coastal Carolina 75-73 Tuesday night in the finals. Centered under the trophy is PSU center Tom, named the tourney's "Most Valuable Player" Pembroke Braves Sweep Own Tourney Third Time By The Associated Press Maryland had to fight from behind and was handicapped fay its three tallest players being sidelined for literally fighting Tuesday night, but Steve Sheppard put 25 points on the board as the Terps overcame a determined challenge by Richmond, 90-78. Maryland, ranked No.

15, was the only Atlantic Coast Conference basketball team to see action Tuesday. There will be plenty of action tonight as six ACC teams will be playing. In the Maryland-Richmond game, Mike Davis and Larry Gibson, both 6-foot-10, and 6- foot-8 Lawrence Boston were thrown out in the second half for fighting. Also thrown out was Richmond's 6-foot-ll Mike Dow. "I can't afford to have my three big men on the bench.

I told them if they want to fight, to do it after the game," said Maryland Coach Lefty Driesell. Maryland, now 10-1, led at halftime 44-40 after working up from a 21-14 deficit. Just as play was to begin for the second half, the first fight erupted with By GENE WARREN PEMBROKE After holding two 20-point leads in the first half, Pembroke State University's Braves saw the momentum of the game completely change and they had to fight for their lives to edge Coastal Carolina 75-73 here Tuesday night. Although a real squeaker, the victory gave Coach Joe Gallagher's PSU team its second straight Pembroke I i a i a a a tournament championship. In fact, in three years of having cage events like this here (the first year it was a doubleheader not played to a championship) PSU has yet to lose.

But Tuesday night the Braves came close. They made six turnovers to none for CC to start the second half, were getting beaten off the boards and saw the Chanticleers take the lead momentarily 65-64 with 7:35 to go in the game. It was anyone's contest to the finish as it was tied three times with CC leading by two on two occasions. However, with 20 seconds remaining Tony Dellinger of PSU buried a 17- foot jump shot from the foul circle to put PSU in front for good at 74-73. On the ensuing play CC's Bobby Smith missed as- did Ronnie Love on a follow shot, and Tom Gardner of PSU rebounded and was fouled.

The clock showed only four seconds remaining, but the officials ruled three seconds had ticked off after they blew the whistle. So the clock was put back at :07 and Gardner sank the first of two free throws for a 75-73 PSU lead. CC tried to get off a shot in the last three seconds, but it was harmless and the Braves had survived. Gardner, the 6-foot-7 senior center who is PSU's captain, led the Braves with 24 points and was chosen the "Most Valuable Player" in the tourney. He hit seven of 11 from the field, 10 of 13 free throws and led everyone in rebounding with 13 recoveries.

Joining Gardner on the all-tourney team was PSU junior Lenwood Graham of Maxton who canned 21 points. Both PSU players were unanimous all-tourney choices as was Manuel Jessup of, Coastal Carolina who led his team with 24 points. Also on the all-tourney team were CC's Frank White (who had 16 points in the finals) and UNC- Asheville's George Gilbert. In the consolation game Tuesday night UNC-Asheville had its hands full before edging Methodist 65-61. PSU now is 5-4, Coastal Carolina 8-3, UNC- Asheville 5-8 and Methodist 2-5.

In winning the tourney PSU avenged previous losses at UNC-Asheville and Coastal Carolina. They turned their rebounding around against CC, outdoing the Chanticleers 33-30 off the boards after being swamped 40-18 in the rebounding department at Coastal Carolina in a December 63-59 defeat. "I feel good about winning the tournament, but that game tonight really puzzles me," said Coach Gallagher. "We played an excellent first half but a horrible second half. The momentum snowballed in their favor in the second half.

We made only one basket in the first 6:32 of the second half. Coastal Carolina started taking the game physically to us. We also missed eight one-and-one, free throws." But when the Braves realized they could lose, Gallagher said his players "got fire in their eyes." A big blow to PSU was a sprained ankle which sidelined Randy Bridges after the first 1:48 of the second half. Jim Griffith, a usual PSU starter, also missed his second game with a virus after injuring his wrist. Bridges had eight points during his brief appearnace (he played only the final 9:47 of the first half), helping detonate the Braves to their two 20-points leads in the latter stages of the first half.

"Randy would have made all-tournament, too, if he had not been hurt," claimed Gallagher. Both Bridges and Griffith are expected back for the next PSU game: Monday, Jan. 10, here against Catawba in a Carolinas Conference contest. In the meantime, Gallagher will try to figure out why his Braves can't cruise to a victory when they get far ahead. "We won tonight," he concluded, "but we were gasping." CHAMPIONSHIP GAME COASTAL CAROLINA (73) Jessup.24, Smith 16, 5 PEMBROKE STATE (75) Gardner 24, Graham 21, Bridges 8, Mulligan 7, Sampson 2, Dellinger 10, Rountree 1, Rotolo 2, Brown, Smith, Pica.

Halftime PSU 44-30. CONSOLATION GAME UNC-ASHEVILLE (65) Gilbert 20, Jones 20, Redd 10, Bumphus 11, Blevins 2, McEnemey 2, DeVries, Bostic, Campbell, Zeuli. METHODIST (61) Wiggins 11, Pellom 10, Mattocks 8, Freeman 9, Porter 7, McRae 8, Lindsay 8. Halftime 34-34 tie. Pro Basketball By The Associated Press National Basketball Association EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division Philphia NYKnks Boston Buffalo NY Nets 19 18 17 15 12 Central Cleve Houston NOrlns Anton Washton Atlanta 21 19 19 19 16 13 14.

16 17 21 23 Pet. .576 .529 .500. .417 .343 GB 8 Division 14 13 17 17 17 26 .600 .594 .528 .528 .485 .333 4 10 WESTERN CONFERENCE Midwest Division Denver Detroit Indiana Kan City Chicago Milwkee 24 20 17 17 12 10 Pacific Portland Los Ang GoldnSt Seattle Phoenix 25 22 18 19 14 11 15 20 20 20 27 .686 .571 .459 .459 .375 .270 -4 8 8 lOVi 15 Division 13 13 15 19 18 .658 .629 .545 .500 .438 6 8 In Ocean Fresh Seofooc 'S OYSTER ROAST Monday thru Thursday SEAFOOD RESTAURANT Carry-Out 738-5141 HOURS 5:00 P.M. Til 9:45 P.M CLOSED SUNDAY 3491 W. 5th St.

Tuesday's Results Golden State 120, New York Knicks 110 Atlanta 113, Denver 109 Chicago 88, New York Nets 80 Milwaukee 139, Phoenix 111 Portland 128, Boston 84 Wednesday's Games Golden State at Buffalo Ixs Angeles at Philadelphia New York Nets at Washington Chicago at Indiana Phoenix at Detroit Denver at San Antonio New York Knicks at Houston Boston at Seattle Thursday's Games Indiana at Atlanta Golden State at Cleveland Buffalo at Milwaukee Davis saying Richmond's Craig Sullivan "stomped on my foot andthen spit at me." They were getting in position for the tipoff. Richmond, now 5-6, again took the lead before the Terps went on a 16-2 scoring binge. Gibson and Dow started swinging at each other after a Maryland basket, giving the Terps a 75-62 lead with less than six minutes left. Boston then replaced Dow in the fight, saying he felt he had to aid he teammate. In addition to Sheppard's 25 points, Brad Davis put in 18 while Bill Bryant added 16.

Richmond's top scorer was Jeff Butler with 23 points and Dow racked up 11. In a Greensboro match tonight, North Carolina will face Clemson. The No. 6 Tar Heels are now 8-1 and Clemson, ranked No. 16, has a 9-1 record.

The game is expected to be hot as both teams like to fast break. "If you got a 3-on-2 break and don't score, the chances are the other team will zip right back down court and have you in a 3-dn-2 situation," said Clemson Coach Bill Foster. In another ACC matchup, No. 10 Wake Forest will be host to Virginia. The Deacons have a 91 record while Virginia has a solid 6-1 mark.

Wake Forest has had to get along without Rod Griffin and it wasn't known whether he will play tonight. North Carolina State, with a 6- 4 season mark, will be the host tonight to Western Carolina, which has a 2-4 record. Wolfpack Coach Norm Sloan said he's pleased with the progress his team has made this year. "I believe if we play together, we can be competitive with any basketball team in the conference." 1 annual clearance SALE STARTS THURSDAY, 9:30 We still have a good selection of merchandise for you to choose from. REDUCTIONS IN ALL DEPARTMENTS.

tO Off LARGE GROUP MEN'S SUITS Price All Sizes, Alterations Extra. GROUP TIES each Values from 7.50 to 12.00 LARGE GROUP DRESS SHIRTS 5.88 each Values from $12 to $20 All Sizes. GROUP SWEATERS SPORTSWEAR 2 Price ALL LONDON FOG RAINCOATS Off ALL LEISURE SHIRTS Off LEATHER JACKETS Off MEN'S SUITS SPORT COATS ALL SALES FINAL ON SALE MERCHANDISE, USE YOUR BANK CARD OR SUGAR'S CHARGE CARD. Biggs Park Shopping Center STORE HOURS: 9:30 to 6:00 except Friday 9:30 to 9:00.