PAGE 24 THE RETRIEVER WEEKLY SPORTS February 15, 2000 Athlete of the Dominance Down Low

KORRYNN LANCASTER after his favorite lenge in playing for a shown that he also knows how to score. Retriever Weekly Staff Writer player, Karl Malone Division I university. With 21 points against Quinnipiac (of the Utah Jazz). Under the influence of his College and 16 points against Central At age 21, starting center for UMBC He took his ability as mother, with possibilities Connecticut State, Okafor turns heads. Kennedy Okafor is already well as his size and including schools such as Kennedy is also ranked in the top 25 in commanding a lot of attention. And at 6 put it on the center of Fairfield, UNLV, Rutgers the nation in boards .per game. Locally, feet 7 inches tall, 265 pounds and wear­ the court, letting no and Manhattan College - Okafor is making his presence known as ing an intimidating size 18 shoe, who one get around him. UMBC was the choice for well by being named to the All­ could ignore his presence? The information Kennedy. Tournament Team in the Battle of Coming out of Midwood High systems major decid­ "I love my mom. I cannot Baltimore. School in , New York, ed to attend UMBC express in words what my Kennedy says he would love to play Kennedy has played with the best. after visiting the mom has done for me," said professional basketball, but he would not During his high school years he had the school with his Kennedy. forsake his degree for a career right opportunity to play against NBA stars mother. "Brooklyn is On the court, Kennedy away. 'It is important to maintain a bal­ such as (now with the Los so competitive, with doesn't let the opposition ance between education and extracurric­ Angeles Lakers) and Stephon Marbury so much peer pres­ forget he is around. The jun­ ular," Okafor noted. "I love basketball, (now of the New Jersey Nets). Playing sure," stated Okafor. Jason Putsche I Retriever Weekly Staff ior is leading the NEC in but I could be injured. That is why I am basketball was the best way for He felt the UMBC Board Work: Kennedy Okafor rebounding with an average going full force with my education." Kennedy to keep focus on his goal of would give him the leads the NEC and is 19th in of 9.6 per game. In the last With a good head on his shoulders and a being the best player possible. Growing academic challenge the country in rebounding, three games the Retrievers tremendous amount of talent, Kennedy up, Okafor says he modeled his game as well as a chal- averaging 9.6 per game. have played, Okafor has Okafor will go far in this world. Men Must Finish Strong to Make NEC Tournament from MEN, page 28 brought up the ball for a shot that would Howard's successful free throws at the either tie or win the contest. Ward chose 16:22 mark in the half, UMBC would contest, LIU outscored UMBC 11-0, to the latter, hitting the game-winning three­ never get closer than one as St. take a 54-50 advantage with just 30 sec­ point shot with just 2.8 seconds left and Francis cruised to a 77-64 victory. onds remaining. Junior guard Terence lifting the Retrievers to a stunning 55-54 The tale of the game was the play of Ward then took over the last half minute of thriller that riled the crowd into a frenzy. the guards in the contest. UMBC was led the contest. With 20 seconds remaining, In the victory, UMBC also narrowly by Ward hitting eight of his 21 Ward hit a jumper to cut the LIU lead to avoided its first-ever three-game NEC los­ attempts and finishing with 27 points, but two and then forced a turnover and ing streak. was outdone by Howard who finished "I've been gaining a lot of mental with a game-high 40 points on 13-28 toughness and I'm learning how to deal shooting. Howard also added 12 rebounds with that as the year goes on," said Ward, to his line including 10 offensive boards. who ended the contest with 16 points on 6- Head Coach Tom Sullivan recognized 16 shooting complementing Okafor who the Terriers' strength in the conference, finished the contest adding 16 points and but added,. "I think we're very fortunate 10 boards. that we have five games that are very The UMBC men's next contest pinned winnable including three here at home. We them against the hottest team in the NEC, have very winnable games, whether we the St. Francis Terriers. Winners of seven can go out and win them remains to straight, including four on the road, St. known." Francis is second in the conference only to Despite having a sub-.500 record in the Jason Putsche I Retriever Weekly Staff undefeated Central Connecticut State. conference, Ward is confident that the Outta My Way: Kennedy Okafor rum­ Both teams opened the first half match­ Retrievers can make some noise if they're bles his way into the lane and lays up ing each other shot for shot with no team able to make the NEC Tournament. "Our an easy two versus St. Francis. gaining a large advantage. Junior college upperclassmen have to learn how to com­ transfer Steven Howard led the way for pensate for everyone else on the team," UMBC also has had some bad luck in the the Terriers in the half with 15 points on 5- said Ward. "I think it's very realistic we final minutes. In four of their seven losses 13 shooting. UMBC guard Terence Ward can win out our final five games." in conference, the Retrievers have had the also started off well on 4-9 shooting UMBC's poor record in conference ball with a chance to tie or win in the final adding 12 points for a three-point could be a little misleading. Statistically, minute. Retriever lead at halftime. the Retrievers are dominating their NEC UMBC begins its quest to make a run Jason Putsche I Retriever Weekly Staff The Retrievers once again squandered foes hitting 45 percent of their field goals into the NEC Tournament with a home Drive By: Freshman guard Justin their lead early in the second half as St. while holding their opponents to just over contest against Mount St. Mary's today Wilson goes by this St. Francis defend­ Francis charged ahead just four minutes 41 percent. The Retrievers are also outre­ and then goes on the road to face Wagner er to score two of his seven points. into the half. Mter Terrier guard Steven bounding their NEC foes by 3.7 per game. and Sacred Heart. GO TO UMBC GAMES. WRITE AN ARTICLE. TURN IT IN, THEN GET PAID. Is that easy enough for you? Call (410) 455·1260 to become a sportswriter for The Retriever Weekly.