Evening star., 1943-03-06
Dime Novel PLAY
Saves Struggle
With Davidson
Issue Settled in Extro
Period; Blue Devils =
Fuvorites Tonight
BY BURTON HAWKINS,
star staff Corresnondent


RALEIGH, N. c., March 6.-To a
dime novel climax set shot by
Scrappy Jim Rausch. George Wash
ington University's basket ball team
will owe its presence in the final of
the Southern Conference champion
ship tournament here tonight
against Duke.
It was the blond little Rausch who
located the cords with magnificent
hurried set shot as the clock clicked
into the final eight seconds of reg
ulation time last night to tie Da-
wilson, 1888, and send the engage
ment into overtime. 1t was no con-
test in the extra period, with G. w.
producing four hasty field goals in
two minutes to capture the decision,
47-40.
G. w. may not take the title. Duke
will be heavy favorite despite a
split in two games with the Co.
lonials this season. But even should
it lose to the Blue Devils, that thrill
of a gallant comeback against Da-
wilson will linger long in G. w.
memories.
wildcat Scorer Eliminated.
With l minute Is seconds of the
regulation game remaining, G. w.
was trailing, 1898, and some of the
$500 fans had left the premises un-
der the assumption Davidson was
en- route to an upset. Only a few
seconds previously, though, the
Wildcats had lost their brilliant
scorer and backbone of their team
when Tommy Peters left the game
on four personal fouls. The Co.
lonials came with rush, as they
were forced to, when Joey Gallagher
whipped in snow bird. With 80
seconds remaining Gallagher made
good on foul shot and as David
son sought to freeze the ball
Burly John Koniszewski intercepted
pass and dribbled down court.
When covered. Koniszewski passed
to Ed Gustafson, who hesitated
several seconds before passing to
Rausch, who promptly sent the
game into overtime with his lengthy
set shot.
The 6-foot 2-inch Peters was an
annoying character to the Colonials.
When the teams deserted the floor
at halftime the score was 1915 and
Peters had registered II Of David
sons points. Late in the second
half, he poured four more field goals
through the cords to accumulate 10
points, but when he left the game
the Wildcats collapsed.
Duke Is Favorite.
Koniszewski, who came up with
his finest game of the season at a
time when his mates were faltering,
scored IS points for the Colonials
and kept them within striking. dis
tance Of the hot-handed Davidson
outfit. Rausch collected II points.
Duke. which disposed of The Cita-
del, 56-37. in the other semif1nal
game, will be sentimental and logi-
cal choice of North Carolina resi-
dents in tonight's tiff, for the Blue
Devils have been the class of the
Southern Conference all season.
The Colonials aren't inclined to
regard the Blue Devils with any,
thing akin to awe, however, for
G. w. spanked Duke. 66-53, in their
first game Of the season before drop
ping a 64-61 overtime game in a
return 1stch. In that first engage
me2t, Duke was operating without
three players who now are regulars.
&. w. Spirit Pays OF.
G. w. will enter its final game
of the season with 1876 record,
amazing considering the caliber of
teams the Colonials have been fac
ing, plus G. WIS seeming lack of
,finesse. Coach OTIS Zahn has kept
them battling to the final whistle,
though, and that item Is responsible
for them meeting Duke for the
championship.
Duke will be attempting to snatch
the championship for the third Sue
cessive year, while G. W.. will be
pursuing its first title in two years
of conference competition. In last
years tourney, the Colonials were
eliminated by william and Mary,
44-43, in the first round.
Gordon Carver, who scored 10
points against The Citadel, is the
Blue Devils main scoring threat.
Geo. Wash. G.F.Pts. Davidson. GFPts