Tycoons pull it out!

jym · February 8, 2005

Tycoons pull out victory on technical-foul free throw

By Avery Holton

Special to the Star-Telegram

HALTOM CITY - George Leach is used to blocking shots. Just look up his name at Indiana University, where he finished fourth all-time in rejections.

But even Leach -- who finished with 35 points, 15 boards and six blocks -- couldn't help Carolina recover from a costly mistake Monday. The Thunder carried only six players into Monday's game against Texas, yet pushed the Tycoons to the game's final play before falling 94-93 at Thomas Coliseum.

Texas, itself down to eight players because of injuries, hit 11 of its last 14 free throws, including Jimmy King's game-winner with 2.3 seconds left. The free throw came after Carolina drew a technical foul for calling a timeout it didn't have.

"We had to step it up as a team late, and we did," said Chris Davis, who hit a pair of free throws with less than three minutes remaining to help the Tycoons go ahead by three. "Sometimes all the shots don't fall, but you keep shooting. We work on free throws every day, so it's good it came down to that."

Playing in his first road game, Leach hit 16 of 31 shots and pulled down 11 defensive rebounds to lead his team. DeRon Rutledge paced the Tycoons with 30 points and a game-high 17 boards.

Texas (14-7) led 91-88 with under a minute to play when Eric Meche sank a deep three for Carolina (7-9) to tie the score. Jamal Shiver then hit two free throws with 21.2 seconds left to tilt the game in the Thunder's favor.

Jabari Johnson drove in for a lay-in with nine seconds left, tying the score for the sixth time in the fourth period. Carolina took possession with 2.3 seconds remaining.

Texas clamped down on defense on the inbounds play, forcing the Thunder to call for the unavailable timeout. That led to the technical and King's game-winning free throw.

TYCOONS 94, CAROLINA 93

* Chris had 22 points, 7 rebounds

Also, please pray for Will Smith (UNT alum). He was in a car accident last Tuesday and just got out of the hospital on Sunday. He has a fractured pelvis and is at home recovering.