Men's Basketball Storming The Inferno

I heFlames'men'sbasketballteam slumpedlateinthe season,losingsix ofitsfinaleightregular-seasongames, andwasknockedoutoftheBigSouth Tournament inthefirstround 73-69 byRadfordUniversity.

The team began theseason with highexpectationsasBigSouthdirectorsandcoaches picked theteam to win the conference. Theteam was headed inthatdirectionat mid-seasonwhenitpeakedatfirstplacewith nineconsecutivewinsuntilWinthrop defeated the Flames onFeb. 12~ a lossfromwhichtheyneverrecovered.

During therest ofthe season, the teamwasplaguedwithinconsistency onthe court.

In the Big South Tournament the Radford Highlanders erased the Flameswithanupset73-69win,their seconddefeattoRadfordinoneweek.

However,theseasonwasnotwith- outitsbright spots.

LU senior center Julius Nwosu scoredhis1,000thcareerpointon Jan. 28th, against Radford University at home duringa94-74win.He finished with 1,248 forhiscareer.

Senior transfer-student Parish Hickman, inhisfirstand only year with the Flames,finishedsecond on theteam witha17.4 pointsper game scoringaverageanda7.4reboundsper game average.

Matt Hildebrand also neared the 1,000 pointmark forhiscareerafter threeyearsofaction. Headingintohis seniorcampaign, Hildebrandhas 973 points in his career as the Flames playmaker.

SeniorKeith Fergusonfinishedhis two-yearcareerservingatforward.He was fourth on theteam with a 7.4 pointspergame average, fa

ByMike Gathman

Reggie Taylor,StudentAssistant; Randy Dunton,AssociateCoach;CordellRobinson; Darryl Williams; Barry Taylor; Parish Hickman;Jeff Meyer, Head Coach;JuliusNwoso;Jody Chapman; DarriusHunter; KeithFerguson; MarkMiller,Assistant Coach; Greg Tilley, Assistant Athletic Trainer.

Senior ParishHickman takesashotfromthe baselineduring a game againstUNC Ashville. Hickman,atransferstudentfrom Michigan State,added experience and skill tothe team.

JEFFRAYMOND

Head Coach Jeff Meyer and Associate Coach Randy Dunton shout playstotheteam Meyer was selected VirginiaSports Information Directors' Coach oftheYear

Another blocked shot against Covenant College helped senior Julius Nwoso tothe all-timeLU blocking record. In three seasons, "Juice"put 113 ballsback intothe faces of his opponents

SeniorJuliusNwoso and juniorJoey Thacker demonstrate thetough defense thatheld Covenant under 60 pointsand caused 21 turnovers

Junior Matt Hildebrand is known forhis ability toignite the Flames in several comeback victories. Aswellas approaching the 1000point career scoring mark,he led theteam in assists.

Coach JeffMeyer uses a strategictime outtoreinforce team unity. Time outsoften sparked a comeback forthe Flames during theseason.

Aftera nationally-recognized high school career,freshman BarryTaylor adjusted welltothe college ranks. In his first year with the Flames,he played innearly every game.

JEFFRAYMOND

The excitement level was high both on and off the court JuniorsChris Toomer and Jeff Bloom celebrate astheirteammate sinks another two

Senior Keith Ferguson puts up another twopointerforthe Flames. Ferguson helped in the team's first-evervictory against the VirginiaTech Hokies