University of Virginia Library

Middies Drowned,67-51

Walker's 20 Points Sink Navy

BY BILL BERNO

Those fans who didn't
know why there was no
admission charge to last night's
Virginia-Navy game quickly
discovered the reason when
they witnessed the brand of
basketball played in Halsey
Field House.

The Cavaliers played
sloppy, uninspired basketball,
as they have in recent non-ACC
games, but even that was good
enough to top the Middies,
67-51.

Bill Gibson's squad
mesmerized the Midshipmen to
gain a 39-22 halftime
advantage, and then
mesmerized itself in the second
half, coming up with a skimpy
28 points.

The opening period was a
Gerard and Walker Laugh-In as
Gus and Wally had a heyday
against the short Navy
frontcourt. The pair of
shotmaking artists accounted
for 19 of the team's first 23
points, blocked large numbers
of Navy shots, and patrolled
the backboards looking for
errant Middle shots.

There were plenty of
misfires on the Navy boards in
the first half, which saw the
Midshipmen make only eight
out of 34 shots from the field.
That 23 percent marksmanship
was countered by the Cavaliers'
excellent 17 for 31
performance.

Luckily for the Wahoos,
their opponents were unable to
take advantage of the
numerous Cav turnovers.
Trying to work the ball inside
to Gerard and Walker, many
Virginia passes settled into
Middie hands, and the
atrocious Navy shooting was
the only thing that enabled the
Cavaliers to maintain their
large lead.

When the second half got
underway, the Middies aroused
the drowsy fans with six quick
points to cut the deficit to 12
points. However, the Wonder
hit a long jumper and a
three-point play to squelch the
Navy comeback. After that,
the game degenerated into an
inept standoff.

Walker finished as the
game's leading scorer with 20
points, closely followed by
Gerard's 16, all but three in the
first half. Jim Hobgood, like
Wally, had a good shooting
night and was rewarded with
11 points.

Barry Parkhill wasn't a
dominant figure in the game,
scoring only five points, but
Mr. BP carted away a
wagonload of assists. He also
pulled down seven rebounds,
frequently going over the short
Middie forwards.

Andy Boninti started the
game and contributed five
points. He also helped Parkhill
control the ball on offense.
n Bonner had four points.

Navy guard Mickey
mpton led the Midshipmen
with 12 points, and center Bob
Burns scored ten points despite
Gerard blocking most of his
shots.

CD/J ntti

Wahoos Won A Laugher At Navy Last Night, 67-51, Guard Stevie Morris Is Shown Against W&M