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Saluqis
capture opener in OT
By
Tommy Gallagher, Special to The Commercial Appeal
March 19, 2003
HUTCHINSON, Kan. - Brian Kizzie looked
right at home Tuesday night.
The former
Kingsbury Falcon, who, who played for Hutchinson Community College
four years ago, scored 13 of his game-high 30 points in overtime to
lead No. 20 Southwest Tennessee to a 93-87 victory against Western
Nebraska.
With the
first-round victory in the 2003 NJCAA Tournament, the Saluqis will
play Southeastern Iowa in the quarterfinals at 6:45 p.m. Thursday.
"I saw an
old teammate of mine, Stan Dohm, and we talked before the game,"
said Kizzie. "Other than that, I haven't really thought about
it."
Without Kizzie,
Southwest Tennessee (24-6) wouldn't have beaten WNCC (29-6).
Kizzie had scored
just seven points by halftime, but began to carry Southwest in the
second half. Kizzie hit two big three-pointers during a four-minute
span that had six lead changes and four ties.
Overall, the game
featured 18 lead changes and nine ties.
WNCC emerged as
the team in control late. Ryan Thompson hit three-pointers on
back-to-back possessions to help the Cougars take a 75-70 lead with
3:38 to go.
They scored just
two more points in the rest of regulation, though, as Southwest used a
4-1 run to force overtime. A basket by Albert Jones with 1:40 to go
tied it at 76.
"The first
game is always the hardest," Kizzie said. "We had some games
in overtime this year, so we are experienced in overtime."
The 5-10 sophomore made a three from the top of
the key just six seconds into the extra session, and finished the game
with six straight free throws that ultimately sealed the victory. |
