Page 10 THE BATTALION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1981 Rockets scrapping for spot in playoffs as time runs out United Press International HOUSTON — With 17 games remaining and several teams hov ering around the fifth and Sixth playoff spots in the NBA’s West ern Conference, Houston Rockets Coach Del Harris says it will take a recommitment, night after night, to still be in uniform after the reg ular season ends. And so far, Harris observes, his players are showing him the atti tude it’s going to take. “We have improved our de fense greatly and this team has been able to make a recommit ment each night to tough team de fense,” Harris said Wednesday. “The two big keys (to the Rock ets playoff hopes) are the play of Calvin Murphy coming off the bench, and defense. Murphy is unselfish and will be able to add years to his career in coming off the bench. It’s provided us neces sary offensive spark,” he added. With Wednesday’s 101-100 vic tory over the playoff bound Indi ana Pacers, Houston is riding a four-game winning streak — the team’s first this year — and is in the thick of the playoff race. The Phoenix Suns, San Antonio Spurs and Los Angeles Lakers are virtually assured three of the Western Conference’s six playoff spots with only 17 regular season games remaining. The other three positions are likely to go either Portland, with a SCUBA DIVERS! Enjoy the best in Texas lake diving dur ing Spring Break at Amistad Resv. in Del Rio. Total cost less than $100. Or ganizational meeting will be Monday, March 3 at 7:30 p.m. in Rudder Twr. Or call 846-6249. TAMU SCUBA CLUB record of 33-33, or Golden State and Houston at 32-33, or Kansas City at 32-34. Philadelphia, Boston, New York, Milwaukee and Indiana already are virtually assured the playoffs in the Eastern Confer ence, and Chicago and Washing ton are fighting it out for the sixth spot. Houston’s Billy Paultz, who has never been on anything less than a playoff team in bis NBA career, continues to'be a top team leader in the Rockets drive. His philosophy is simple: keep control in the final minutes. Against the Pacers, the lead changed hands four times in the final minute but with five seconds left, Bobby Joe Reid got hacked as he drove to the basket and con nected on two free throws to put the game away. “We got the drive to the basket at the end, drew the foul, con verted our free throws and they weren’t able to get the ball under neath at the end,” said Paultz. Harris echoed Paultz’s observa tions. “What’s good for you on offense can’t be good for you on defense,” he said. “We wanted to go to the hoop at the end and we wanted to make them take the outside shot to beat us.” iii Leading scorers for the Pacers were James Edwards with 25 and McGuiness with 19. Reid and Murphy led Houston with 18 each. Allen Leavell had 14, all in the fourth quarter. Lord, you know it ain t easy Photo by Jon Htki Texas A&M women’s basketball coach Cherri Rapp intently Nebraska at 7:30 p.m. tonight and Houston at approxiraalel) watches the Aggie women practice earlier this week. The 4:30 p.m. Saturday. Both games will be played in G. Roll Aggie Ladies, who have endured a difficult 7-20 record this White Coliseum, with Saturday’s game immediately followim season, will finish the schedule this weekend when they play the men’s contest against the Cougar men. When you need $65 fast, yon find out who your friends are. ■ -y IKK Iff It’s the middle of the night and everyone has an excuse. Then, finally, you get the one person who, even though he’s not very happy about it, will come through. And you think, “I knew it. Why didn’t I just call him in the first place?” So when the crisis is over, he’s going to deserve something a little special. Tonight, let it be Lowenbrau. Here’s to good friends. © 1981 Bfifir hrftw«rt in 11 £ A h\/ Millar Rrawinn Cnmn, © 1981 Beer brewed in U S A. by Miller Brewing Company, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Spurs defeat Sonics... United Press International SAN ANTONIO — George Gervin scored 35 points Thursday nigli and Mark Olberding added 30 to lead the San Antonio Spurs toi 123-113 victory over the Seattle Super Sonics in a foul-plagued game Gervin, who scored 14 points in the first period, put San Antonioiip 24-22 with a jumper late in that period and the Spurs never trailed Referees Darell Garretson and Hugh Evans called 61 personalfouli and two technicals and Sonics James Bailey, John Johnson and Artnond Hill fouled out. The Spurs pulled away to an 82-69 lead midway through the third period by running out 10 straight points. The Sonics closed to 93-90 on a three-point play by James Bailp >Uni ■ early in the fourth period before San Antonio ran an 18-8 spurt toti a 111-98 edge and ice the game. San Antonio led 61-57 at the half as Gervin scored 21 points on Mol 13 shooting from the field and 13 points from Olberding. ... while Mavs lose again United Press International KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Scott Wedman and Otis Birdsongcombintd for 56 points to carry the Kansas City Kings to a 105-102 victor) Thursday night over the Dallas Mavericks. Wedman scored 30 and Birdsong 26 to help the Kings run thei acl record to 5-0 against the Mavericks despite the absence of poiil guard Pbil Ford. Ford suffered a fractured left eye socket Suni against Golden State and will be lost for at least seven more days Wedman scored 13 points to stake Kansas City at a 26-20 first quarttr lead, and Birdsong chipped in seven second quarter points to helpth Kings widen the margin to as many as 12 points. Wedman scored 13 more points in the third quarter as Kansas Cil) took an 83-69 lead, but the Mavericks got back into the game in tk final period behind the 13 points of rookie Clarence Kea and pullei within three points in the closing minute. chai may AGGIES! Jcwc 10% AGGIE DISCOUNT ON ALL MERCHANDISE WITH STUDENT ID (Cash Only Please) We reserve the right to limit use of this privilege. Downtown Bryan (212 N. Main) and Culpepper Plaza DIETING? Even though we do not prescribe diets, we make it possible for many to enjoy a nutritious meal while they follow their doctors orders. You will be delighted with the wide selection of low calorie, sugar free and fat free foods in the Souper Salad Area, Sbisa Dining Center Basement. OPEN Monday through Friday 10:45 AM-1:45 PM QUALITY FIRST \