'Page 12 THE BATTALION THURSDAY. APRIL 16. 1981 iSports l - Game seven Friday night San Antonio evens series United Press International HOUSTON — San Antonio’s c'bench has emerged as a positive s factor in a strung out playoff series fiagainst the Houston Rockets and Uthe development may have come "just in time for the Spurs, t; Game seven in the best-of- fseven Western Conference semi- r'final series became neccesary as the Spurs averted elimination by treating the Rockets before a hos- a]tile crowd, 101-96, and if prece- s|dent means anything the under dog Rockets must be a favorite l Friday night in San Antonio. In each of the last two seasons and in each of the playoff series following those seasons, the Spurs and Rockets have neither one won two games in a row. “The home court means no thing,” Spurs captain James Silas said after watching his teammates coolly score the final five points of the game Wednesday. The Rock ets missed their final five shots. Key for the Spurs in the tense closing minutes and during a 31- 12 roll in the second quarter. which forced the Rockets to play catch-up, were reserves Dave Corzine, Johnny Moore and Paul Griffin. “In addition to our starters,” Spurs coach Stan Albeck said, “the play of Paul Griffin and Johnny Moore was very important. Moore penetrated to open our offense. Griffin has the toughest job in bas ketball. He comes in to guard Moses Malone when somebody gets in foul trouble and everybody is watching him.” Sun Theatres Several of Corzine’s team lead ing eight rebounds were in critical situations. physically tired. It paid tonight,” Olberding said. Seven Spurs scored nine points or more. Rockets coach Del Harris said he did not anticipate Willoughby playing Friday or Malone getting any rest. “It’s academic. What’s the dif ference between 48 and 44 mi nutes? It’s like a heavyweight fighter. What’s the difference be tween 13 rounds and 15 rounds? After you stood in there getting pounded on for so long, you don’t notice it,” Harris said. 333 University ° 846-! The only movie in town Double-Feature Every Week 846-9808 Meanwhile, Houston played with only five men supporting Malone due to the jammed thumb suffered by forward Bill Wil loughby. The Rockets coach said that in his mind the key factor in the series now was rebounding. The Spurs have controlled the boards in their three wins. 10 a.m.»2 a.m. Sun.-Theirs. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Fri.-Sat. No one under 18 BOOK STORE & 25c PEEP SHOWS Spurs forward Mark Olberding said Malone, who scored 36 points, was tired at the end. “Sometimes during the game the Rockets missed some shots and we’d take off with our running game to get them mentally and “I feel good about the series be cause I feel both teams have play ed hard and well,” Harris said. In game six, the five Rockets supporting Malone made less than 50 percent of their shots from the field. Malone was 15 of 25. Appearing MVE Thursday Night GEORGE ENSLE’ Cover *1 00 4410 College Main Calvin Murphey’s 20-foot jump shot with 2:25 to play gave Hous ton a 96-95 lead, but the Rockets failed to score thereafter as Mike Dunleavy missed two shots and three other players missed one. George Gervin, who scored 26 points with 12 of 25 field goals, tied the game at the 2:13 mark and in the final seconds Griffin canned a free throw and Corzine and Ger vin each scored a field goal. M) to A Arkansas tennis player Chip Hooper, reigning indoor NCAA champion, strains as he lunges for a volley in Saturday’s tennis match with Texas A&M. Hooper, who defeated Aggie Reid Freeman ____________ Raising a racquet! Staff photo by Greg Camm Saturay, 6-4, 6 take the 1981 championships Aggies 8-1. i-0, is the odds-on-favorite to outdoor title in the NCAA , The Razorbacks beat the Perhaps breat lead women s t ayers to nation r the Aggies m [Signing three ansfer, all of ' luldn’t be mor Ann Irinka, N elli flamed inh Kith Texas A&.V Irinka, a6’2V2 iringsa21point ,&M. A gradu |ika was all-cc ayer two yeat irer for her te iapp said that due to the ( ;as but when earlier this she was ii |f“She s one of move outsic Ag track team in Waco Frida] an rebound. Si By RITCHIE PRIDDY Sports Editor The Texas A&M men’s track team returns to competition this week in the Baylor Invitational track meet in Waco Friday. Head track coach Charlie Tho mas will take a 26-man squad to the meet, the team’s first competi tion since the Texas Relays two weeks ago. Last week’s home meet with Lamar was canceled be cause of injuries. Those injuries, for the most part, have had time to heal and the Aggies are close to being back at full strength. “Our injury situation is getting better. (James) Howard’s foot is still sore but he will still compete in the high jump. (Rod) Richard son’s leg is getting better. He’s HSJ? .**;«£* rc\e