HPU to play in March despite loss
Posted by Bryan Rothamel on February 28, 2009 · Leave a Comment
Despite losing Saturday night, HPU clinched the final spot of the Big South tournament.
VMI (22-7, 13-5 Big South) won their first contest in High Point, 81-76. HPU (9-20, 4-14) had four players finish with double figures.
Melvin Crowder shined in his final home game in front of 1,642 in attendance. Crowder finished with a career best 14 points, including four 3-pointers.
“Melvin has meant so much to our program and a great kid. He kind of is High Point University. Everybody knows Melvin,” Lundy said.
Freshman Nick Barbour scored 15 points making it 11 straight games with double-digit figures. Cruz Daniels recorded his team leading fifth double-double with 14 points and a career high 20 rebounds.
“[Daniels] development as a player and his confidence has been phenomenal.” Lundy continued, “He’s becoming the best big man in the Big South.”
Leading VMI was senior Chavis Holmes with 19 points. Also scoring double figures was Austin Kenon, Travis Holmes and Michael Sparks.
The Runnin’ Roos showed their “loot and shoot” style in the first nine minutes of the second half. They stretched their half time lead of six to 22 points with 11:20 remaining in the game. HPU ignited for a 22-6 run over the next six minutes to bring it within six on a Jacob Iati three pointer.
“[VMI’s] style is the most difficult style I’ve ever seen. Their pressure the first game, I’ve never seen it. I was up all night thinking about the pressure,” David Singleton said following the game. The freshman guard finished with 10 points, eight assists and 3 steals.
VMI scored the next five points then the Panthers scored the eight straight points. Travis Holmes converted on the second of two free throws to push the score 79-74 with 21 seconds left. Singleton scored a layup to bring the deficit to three before Chavis Holmes hit two free throws to bring the game to the follow score.
High Point relied on rebounds to keep them in the game winning the battle 31-16. The Keydets converted only on 24.5 percent from behind the arch. They shot 53 of their 73 attempts from long distance.
Chavis Holmes said on the large lead VMI let disappear, “It’s easy to come back when you don’t feel you don’t you have anything to lose. Give a lot of credit to them, at the end of the game they came back but we were able to hold them off.”
His brother, Travis said, “When we make shots, that’s when we can set up our defense and we start get steals and everything just starts flowing.”
High Point’s first basket was a 3-pointer from Crowder on the wing assisted by Steadman Short. Crowder was honored before the game with a ceremony where he received a poster of his likeness and a raucous standing ovation and applause.
“That’s my boy. I just wanted him to go out in fashion; unfortunately I didn’t want him to win. We got the w tonight but he played hard tonight. He got his chance tonight to show people what he can do,” Travis Holmes said of Crowder. The twins and Crowder grew up together and spend much of their school breaks together.
Crowder said reflecting on his pregame ceremony, “I learned so much from the people here at High Point. I don’t think the people here realize that everybody has made an impact on my life some way, some how. I really do cherish everyone here no matter if we get along or we don’t get along. I think everyone showed me so much here. I’m really happy to be here.”
The Panthers play Tuesday at Radford for the quarterfinals of the Big South Tournament. HPU has lost the two meetings this year against RU. Game time set for 7 pm in the Dedmon Center.
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