12/2/1949

Arizona Five Raps Navymen, 54-41

Teams Tangle Again Tonight

By SKIBO McKAY

The University of Arizona basketball forces will be out to make a clean sweep of their two-game series with the Navy air force Pacific fleet quint at 8:30 p.m. today at Bear Down gym. The university freshman five will meet the Intramural All-Stars at 6:45.

Arizona's offense was shaky last night but managed to squeeze past the navy airmen, 54-41. It was Coach Fred Enke's silver anniversary opener and his 52nd consecutive home victory. Arizona's last defeat on its own floor was Feb. 18, 1945 when the Douglas airfield won, 48-37.

It was Airpac's first meeting with a college team this year and its third loss in 16 games, mostly against service conference opposition on the west coast.

Roger Johnson High

Last season Coach Enke moved Tucson high's great forward, Roger Johnson, to a guard position rather than playing him at forward as he did to lead the state champions. The move was to have a high scoring guard along with his ace forwards, Leon Blevins and Sophomore Bob Honea. The result paid dividends last night as Johnson took high point honors with six field goals and three free throws for 15 points.

Guard Roger Sorensen swished in a pair of goals and five charity tosses for nine points to lead the visitors.

Arizona's all-Border conference forward and high scoring ace of last year's champions, Forward Leon Blevins, was held almost to a standstill. Over 14 minutes had elapsed before he chalked up a field goal, followed by a free throw shortly afterwards. The three points were all he collected during the evening. He played all but seven minutes of the second half.

Center Red Gilmore put Airpac ahead in the opening minutes with a field goal. Roger Johnson knotted the score and Honea's free toss pushed the Wildcats out front 3-2.

Gilmore sunk a free throw and the game was deadlocked for the second and final time. From there Arizona gradually pulled and and led 25-18 at the intermission. This was the widest margin of the first half.

Identical Scoring

Johnson and Honea each dropped in three goals and one free toss for 14 of the second half 29 points. Center Paul Penner, south paw 6-foot 7-incher, and Forward Jim Johnston each collected four points for runner-up laurels of the second half.

In the preliminary game the university intramural A11-Stars, led by Center Bob Oates Papago Hall, defeated the Arizona freshman Wildkittens 56-42. Oates ta1lied five field goals for 10 points. Forward Bill Kemmeries had eight points for the Kittens.

For the first time in 25 years Coach Fred Enke’s wife was missing from a home game last night. She is out of town due to illness of her sister.