Sophomores deliver for Flyers against Georgia Tech

Dayton’s London Warren celebrates with a teammate after defeating Georgia Tech 63-59 during their college basketball game of the Puerto Rico Tip-off tournament in San Juan, Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009.

Associated Press photo by Ricardo Arduengo Dayton’s London Warren celebrates with a teammate after defeating Georgia Tech 63-59 during their college basketball game of the Puerto Rico Tip-off tournament in San Juan, Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009.

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By Doug Harris, Staff Writer Updated 12:27 AM Friday, November 20, 2009

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Sophomore guard Paul Williams wasn’t dwelling on his shooting form or how his team desperately needed him to convert a couple of one-and-ones in the final minute against No. 21 Georgia Tech on Thursday.

The nerveless Dayton back-up was focused on his stomach.

“I was thinking about food. I’m dead serious,” he said. “Every time I step to the line I think about food or something different (to alleviate the pressure).”

Asked if his mind was on some local delicacies this time, Williams replied: “Probably chicken.”

After blowing a 10-point lead and falling behind, 57-50, the 18th-ranked Flyers pulled out a 63-59 victory in the Puerto Rico Tip-off Classic by finishing the game on a 13-2 run. Williams’ 3-pointer from the corner gave UD a 59-57 edge with 51.2 seconds to go, and he made four straight free throws to preserve the lead.

Sophomore Chris Johnson came off the bench to tally a game-high 19 points. After missing a couple of 3’s as UD was fading, Johnson swished one with 2:43 to go to cut the deficit to two and fuel the rally.

The Flyers will play No. 5 Villanova in the tournament semifinals today. The Big East’s Wildcats slipped past George Mason 69-68 in another close first-round game.

“Both these guys have dramatically improved,” UD coach Brian Gregory said of Williams and Johnson. “This is the first time in a three-week period that Paul has been able to practice every single day. I keep asking when the real Paul Williams is going to be around, and he showed up.

“But the interesting thing about Paul is how much he has been able to contribute while battling all those nicky-nack injuries. You saw it the last couple games. He’s going to be an impact guy for us, which we thought from the beginning.”

Williams, though, wouldn’t have been in the game if Johnson hadn’t been pulled with muscle cramps with 1:10 to go.

Seated beside both super sophs at the post-game press conference, Gregory quipped, “Thank God (Johnson) cramped up so we could put Paul in and someone could finally make one.”

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2125 or dharris@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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