Downey clutch for Carolina
Matt Jones
Issue date: 1/18/08 Section: Sports
Downey said the Gamecocks had been soft offensively and were better focused for Arkansas playing sound pick-and-roll basketball.
"We realized when you screen the ball you get open yourself," Downey said. "We made a focus to set better picks and create better opportunities for our teammates, and it creates opportunities for yourself."
Downey started the game hot, scoring seven points before the second media timeout, and had 14 points at halftime.
But Arkansas, playing man-to-man defense most of the night, rotated Patrick Beverley, Marcus Britt and Stefan Welsh in the second half on the Gamecocks' hot-hand, and it looked to frustrate the guard for a while.
When Steven Hill hit the back end of two free throws to tie the game with 4:50 remaining, Downey had been held to just six points in the second half.
But a critical error on Beverley's part helped Downey get back in the groove. With the shot clock showing six seconds on the Gamecocks' ensuing possession, Downey heaved a 3-pointer but was fouled by Beverley and went to the line, hitting two to extend the lead.
Downey hit two more free throws following a Beverley lay-up with 2:10 to go and hit a running floater with 23 seconds left following a Weems 3-point basket to keep Arkansas at bay.
Pelphrey said his team knew it would have to take the game from Downey and failed to do so.
"I thought we were going to have to do some things to stop him," Pelphrey said. "I didn't think he was going to make some mistake and let us have the game. He's an all-league guy."
"We realized when you screen the ball you get open yourself," Downey said. "We made a focus to set better picks and create better opportunities for our teammates, and it creates opportunities for yourself."
Downey started the game hot, scoring seven points before the second media timeout, and had 14 points at halftime.
But Arkansas, playing man-to-man defense most of the night, rotated Patrick Beverley, Marcus Britt and Stefan Welsh in the second half on the Gamecocks' hot-hand, and it looked to frustrate the guard for a while.
When Steven Hill hit the back end of two free throws to tie the game with 4:50 remaining, Downey had been held to just six points in the second half.
But a critical error on Beverley's part helped Downey get back in the groove. With the shot clock showing six seconds on the Gamecocks' ensuing possession, Downey heaved a 3-pointer but was fouled by Beverley and went to the line, hitting two to extend the lead.
Downey hit two more free throws following a Beverley lay-up with 2:10 to go and hit a running floater with 23 seconds left following a Weems 3-point basket to keep Arkansas at bay.
Pelphrey said his team knew it would have to take the game from Downey and failed to do so.
"I thought we were going to have to do some things to stop him," Pelphrey said. "I didn't think he was going to make some mistake and let us have the game. He's an all-league guy."
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