Tops Handle Auburn For Wendy's Crown
By Doug Gott
College Heights Herald

RealVideo Clip: Game Highlights and Postgame Comments (1.8mb)

[December 7, 1985]

Auburn coach Sonny Smith warned his players.

But apparently they didn't take heed.

"I told them in our pre-game talk that they were going to have to worry about Western's inside intimidation. I don't think they believed me."

Indeed, Western's inside people outplayed Auburn's and led the Toppers to their first Wendy's Classic title in the six years of the tournament.

Most Valuable Player Kannard Johnson had 24 points and 10 rebounds, going head-to-head with Auburn All-American Chuck Person. Tellis Frank, who made the all-tournament team, had seven points and six rebounds. Center Clarence Martin had eight points, 11 rebounds and three blocked shots.

"The old saying is that the cream shall rise. Kannard Johnson performed like a true All-American tonight. He went to war," Coach Clem Haskins said.

While the key to Western's win appears to have been the big men, the guards may have been the deciding factor. Smith said his team didn't respect the Topper guards until it was too late.

"Their guards were much better than we thought," he said. "We just thought we had to beat the inside people."

James McNary had his best game as a Hilltopper, controlling the offense. The Owensboro sophomore had eight points and ten assists in 38 minutes. Billy Gordon scored 14 points, with 12 coming in the clutch second half.

"You're only as good as your guard play, and tonight our guards did a super job," Haskins said.

Haskins didn't go to the bench much in the contest, bringing in only three players.

Ray Swogger, who started at forward in Friday's 101-75 win over Chaminade in place of an injured Fred Tisdale, responded to the call again Saturday, doing what Haskins wanted him to do - play tough defense and block out.

Person had 16 first-half points, but when Haskins went to a man-to-man defense to slow him down in the second half, he added only nine more.

"Clarence Martin and Ray Swogger weren't all-tournament team, but we couldn't have won without them," Haskins said. "Ray did a great job on Person."

Western never trailed in the game, and there were just three ties, the last being 12-12. But the Tops weren't able to put the game away until the final three minutes.

Johnson's dunk with seven minutes to go in the first half gave Western and eight-point lead, but Person made three shots from long range to help pull the Tigers within two, 32-30, at halftime.

But two quick baskets by Johnson and Gordon off McNary assists early in the second half led to an Auburn timeout. Smith had to try to remedy things. It didn't work.

Western kept its advantage, and the game ended with Martin slamming a missed shot at the last second for the final margin.

"I'm walking on air right now," Haskins said. "I'm so proud for my players. My players have been ridiculed the last few years. This win is for them. I couldn't be more pleased."

The all-tournament team included Johnson, Frank, Person, Francis Fletcher of Chaminade and Wesleyan's Dave Bennett.

Previous Game Articles
WKU vs. Memphis State (1986 Preseason NIT)
WKU vs. Texas Christian (1986 Preseason NIT)
WKU vs. Notre Dame (1986 Preseason NIT)
WKU vs. Dayton (1967 NCAA Tournament)
WKU vs. Syracuse (1978 NCAA Tournament)
WKU vs. Michigan (1966 NCAA Tournament)
WKU vs. Loyola (Ill.) (1966 NCAA Tournament)
WKU vs. Georgetown (1982 Wendy's Classic)
WKU vs. UAB (1/25/86 - Mars Bars Game)
WKU vs. Auburn (1985 Wendy's Classic)
WKU vs.Florida St. (1993 NCAA Tournament)
WKU vs. Seton Hall (1993 NCAA Tournament)