Greenville Down Altitude in Asheville

GREENVILLE, S.C., Jan. 6, 2002 – Eric Harris’ driving lay-up with time running out gave the Greenville Groove a 68-67 victory over regional rival Asheville Altitude Sunday afternoon at the Bi-Lo Center. Harris almost threw the ball away the previous play trying to feed the ball to Billy Thomas on the left wing, but the ball was knocked out of bounds and Greenville was given a second chance. Asheville quickly got the ball to the front court and called a timeout with 1.8 seconds left on the clock. Johnny Hemsley’s 40-footer at the buzzer was just a tad long and the Groove improved to 13-12 on the season and keeps their league-leading four-game win streak alive while the Altitude falls to 14-10. For the first time this season Greenville is over the .500 mark.

“It was one of those days where we just didn’t play well at all,” said Groove head coach Milton Barnes. “The good side about it is we did find a way to win the game. It’s a good thing. We just truly have to understand the importance of being a team, because we need each other going down the stretch like that.”

Greenville was led by DeeAndre Hulett’s 16 points on 7-of-10 shooting from the field. Rahim Lockhart and Tom Wideman combined for 27 rebounds, 14 and 13 respectively. The Groove shot only 39.1 percent from the field and 65.2 percent from the free throw line and committed 23 turnovers, but still managed to pull out the victory on Harris’ drive.

“We have won four straight and have a big test coming up on the road,” said Harris. “We have a lot of talent on this team, a lot of veterans. Coach Barnes is a great coach. As long as we stick with it and keep our heads right the sky is the limit.”

Hemsley led the Altitude with his 22 points and backcourt mate Rusty LaRue finished with 14 points on 4-for-6 shooting from three-point range. “Our guys are a little upset, but that doesn’t do us any good,” said Asheville Head Coach Joey Meyer. “You can’t depend on a call and hope it goes your way. You have to make the play that wins the game and we didn’t do it tonight.”