Friday's CVAC Tournament capsules

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on March 5, 2006 2:20 AM

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MOUNT OLIVE -- Senior Victor Young sank two free throws with 4.5 seconds remaining and Elton Coffield collected a career-high 35 points in Mount Olive's thrilling 105-102 victory over Pfeiffer University.

It was the 12th meeting in three years between the two schools, including the third straight in the CVAC Tournament. The Falcons (18-11) defeated the Trojans (24-5) in the 2004 and 2005 CVAC Tournament championship games.

Coffield shot 9 of 11 from 3-point range in 34 minutes of action and eclipsed his previous career high of 33 set more than a month ago against the Falcons. His final 3-pointer, with Pfeiffer's Ricky Buffaloe in his face, gave Mount Olive a 98-93 lead with 1:21 remaining in regulation.

"Coffield was phenomenal and hit big shots with someone always in his face," said Falcons coach Dave Davis, whose team erased a pair of double-digit deficits in the second half. "Coffield carried their team. (His) daggers were huge after we came back each time."

Pfeiffer hit six consecutive free throws and Cory Knight drained an NBA-range 3-pointer to stay within striking distance at 103-102. The Trojans inbounded the ball and Young, who emerged one of four MOC players in double figures with 17 points, calmly sank both free throws.

DeMario Grier missed a game-tying 3-pointer as time expired.

"(Pfeiffer) just kept coming back and we couldn't put them away," said MOC coach Bill Clingan, whose team earned its third win against Pfeiffer this season. "(Elijah) Rouse and Coffield played tremendously and hit big shots under pressure.

"Each team gave tremendous effort and I said at halftime it would come down to grit and determination. We hit big free throws and handled the ball very well when we needed to."

The Trojans' Melvin Creddle recorded a double-double -- 15 points and 10 assists. Maurice Horton poured in a team-high 22 points, including a 9 of 13 effort at the free throw line.

Tavares Cooper led five Pfeiffer players in double figures with 22 points on 9 of 14 shooting from the floor. Dele Ojo, a senior guard, tallied 13 of his 20 points in the second half. Knight chipped in 16 points and Matt Austin added 12 before fouling out.

"We were down and out so many times, but we kept finding a way to keep fighting till that last shot," said Davis, whose team will miss postseason play for the first time since 2003 and just the third time overall since 2000. "We showed tremendous heart and character. We hung in there and had chances all night."

The teams battled through seven lead changes and two ties. Mount Olive, ranked No. 25 in the latest NABC Division II Top 25 poll, led the entire second half and grinded out its 16th home win of the season.

Pfeiffer substituted 160 times in the game with either a five-man platoon or single reserves. The Trojans and Falcons combined to shoot 56.9 percent (41 of 72) from the floor in the second half.

Barton 82, Limestone 63

Senior guard Casey Moore pumped in a game-high 20 points and played the entire 40 minutes as nationally-ranked Barton stopped Limestone (S.C.) University 82-63 in semifinal-round play Friday afternoon.

Moore dished out six assists and picked collected five steals defensively for the Bulldogs, who are ranked No. 12 in the NABC Division II Top 25 poll.

Anthony Atkinson added 17 points, while Mark Friscone contributed 14. Alejo Barovero, a first-time all-Carolinas-Virginia Athletics Conference selection, added 12. Bobby Buffaloe, the CVAC freshman of the year, contributed 11 points.

Shawn Poppie, a second-team all-CVAC pick, led the Saints 16 points. Marquintus Jones added 11. Alex Bailey came off the bench to score nine points -- all from 3-point range.

Barton (24-3), the top seed, scored 12 of the first 18 points of the game. Barovero and Buffaloe each contributed a 3-pointer during the early run.

The Bulldogs built as much as a 21-point lead in the second half.

Anderson women 61, Pfeiffer 42

In a battle of underclassmen-ladened teams, two-time defending CVAC champion Anderson throttled Pfeiffer University 61-42 in semifinal-round play Friday afternoon.

LaShonda Chiles paced a balanced Trojans attack with 16 points, while Keana Boyd contributed 11. Nine players scored for top-seeded Anderson, which improved to 25-4 overall.

Pfeiffer junior Tamara Clay seized game-high scoring honors with 17 points and grabbed 14 rebounds, including 10 on the defensive end. Kelly Mathis added seven. Erin Crowder and Kendra Rutledge each scored six for the Falcons, who concluded their season 14-15.

Barton women 64, Erskine 47

Senior Keauna Vinson notched a double-double -- 19 points, 18 rebounds -- as Barton College rallied past Erskine (S.C.) College 64-47 in semifinal-round play at Kornegay Arena.

Vinson tallied 10 points off 12 offensive rebounds for the second-seeded Bulldogs, who are ranked seventh in the latest NCAA Division II East Region poll.

Erskine hit 57 percent of its shots in the opening half, but went cold in the second half. The Flying Fleet (17-12) failed to score on their first 14 possessions with seven missed field goals and seven turnovers.

Stephanie Jenkins hit Erskine's first field goal with 11:58 remaining in regulation. Barton owned a slim 39-35 lead at that point, but later broke the game open with a 22-3 run. Anjessa Evans and Vinson combined for 17 points during that stretch.

The Flying Fleet shot 23.1 percent (6 of 26) in the second half and yielded 10 points on 13 turnovers.

Candice Britton and Jo Denevan scored 12 and 11 points, respectively for Barton.

Jenkins led three Erskine players in double figures with 14 points. Anita Owens chipped in 12, while Lisa Jackson scored 10.