Blue Devils Trounce Panthers 91-59 to Advance in NCAA Tournament
Buffalo, NY - Coach Frizzell and his High Point Panthers traveled the farthest north they have traveled this season as they visited Canisius University in Buffalo, New York, where they would play the #1 seeded Duke Blue Devils. Coach Frizzell had complained about the #16 seeding they had received ever since they had gotten it and even complained about it an hour before the game to a CBS Sports reporter. He also ranted in the pregame press conference earlier that morning as he called the NCAA Selection Committee "a bunch of drunked bastards who don't know what they're doing" amid other snide remarks. The NCAA is looking into possibily fining Coach Frizzell over the incident.
So, this was Coach Frizzell's chance to show the world that he was right and that his team did indeed deserve a higher seeding in the Big Dance. The game started out with an 8-0 Duke run early on. Duke would go into the locker room with a 13 point lead, as the score was 39-26. Things got interesting early in the second half as High Point got on a bit of a run, eventually getting within 5 as the score sat at 45-40 early in the second half. Then, Duke lit it up as they pulled out to a lead of 10 points, then 20, and eventually 30 points as they scored 52 points in the 2nd half alone to go on and defeat the High Point Panthers 91-59. The Blue Devils outscored the Panthers 52-33 in the 2nd half leading to the victory and advancing them to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Two Panthers played their final games of there careers tonight. Alex Allen, who was the Big South Tournament MVP, finished off his fine career with 12 points and 7 rebounds to go along with an assist, a steal, and three blocks, a worthy performance in his final game in a High Point uniform. Small Forward Demon Conklin played his final game of his career as well. Conklin scored 8 points, grabbed a rebound, dished out an assists, and recorded a steal in his final game in a High Point uniform. He hit two shoots from three point range in the game. Both seniors had good nights tonight; unfortunately, the Panthers did not win the game.
Coach Frizzell was humiliated about the loss as he stormed off the court following the game. We caught up with him a few hours later and he was very sad and angry about the performance. "I thought we were better than that! I thought we could put up a fight and not lose by 32! Apparently, we can't and we aren't that good at all! We suck! I feel really bad for the seniors on this team who played their final games. Alex Allen and Demon Conklin both had fine games tonight and great careers. It's a shame that the rest of the team played like crap and didn't give our seniors much a chance. I am tired of this underperforming..." Coach Frizzell went on ranting, but had nothing more worthwhile to say.
The High Point Panthers finish off the season with a 20-9 record and a 12-4 record in Big South Conference play. Coach Frizzell's first season must be considered a success as the Panthers did win the Big South Regular Season Championship as well as the Big South Conference Tournament Championship along with the trip to the NCAA Tournament, even if it did end in a 32 point rout by Duke.
Code:
1st 2nd OT Final
High Point 26 33 -- 59
Duke 39 52 -- 91
Panthers Blue Devils
Field Goals 23/60 36/66
FG Percentage .383 .545
3 Pointers 4/16 5/15
3 Pt. Percentage .250 .333
Free Throws 9/11 14/22
FT Percentage .818 .636
Assists 11 15
Turnovers 15 11
Team Fouls 17 12
Total Rebounds 30 40
Offensive Rebounds 7 10
Defensive Rebounds 23 30
Steals 6 6
Blocks 6 5
Paint Points 32 58
Bench Points 22 39
2nd Chance Points 7 8
Fast Break Points 12 4
High Point Leaders
SG, Damon Carlisle - 9 points, 4 assists
SF, Vince Hodge - 10 points, 4 rebounds
SF, Demon Conklin - 8 points
C, Alex Allen - 12 points, 7 rebounds, 3 blocks
Streak: Lost 1
Record: 20-9 (12-4)
Home Record: 11-2
Away Record: 9-6
Neutral Record: 0-1
Next Game: End of Season
03-04-2008, 07:08 PM
