clarinews@clarinet.com (02/03/90)
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (UPI) -- Terry Cummings scored 29 points and rookie David Robinson added a unique triple-double with 27 points, 15 rebounds and 11 blocked shots, Friday night to lead the San Antonio Spurs to their third straight win, a 118-107 decision over the Charlotte Hornets. After trailing by as many as 17 points in the fourth quarter, Charlotte cut the lead to 109-105 with about three minutes to go in the game. But Willie Anderson converted a 3-point play to put the Spurs ahead 112-105 and the Hornets never came close thereafter. Cummings scored 13 points and Robinson contributed 8 in a decisive third quarter in which San Antonio outscored Charlotte 33-17, erasing a 4-point halftime deficit. The Spurs led 95-83 at the end of the third period. Dale Curry led the Hornets, who dropped their seventh straight, with 22 points followed by Kelly Tripucka with 21 and Armon Gilliam with 20. Gilliam also had 15 rebounds. Curry, Tripucka, Gilliam and Rex Chapman, who finished with 19 points, combined for 53 points in the first half as Charlotte led 66-62 at intermission. The loss was Charlotte's second under interim coach Gene Littles who replaced Dick Harter. Harter was fired as Hornets coach Wednesday.