by Bill Nichols

    They did it.

    They really did it.

    The Cavaliers won a basketball game last night at the Arena -- their first ever, at home, a 108-106 squeaker over the Buffalo Braves, thus ending a very painful 12-game losing drought.

    "I think I'll fly to California so I can enjoy it for three extra hours," beamed Cavs' coach Bill Fitch.

    "It's beautiful to win one, " said Walt Wesley, squinting through a very painful right eye, injured Friday night.

    "IT'S GREAT," said John Johnson.

    "We needed it," added John Warren.

    And owner Nick Mileti was moved even further as tears streamed down his face.

    The Cavaliers were happy and so were the 2,002 fans on hand.

    A little 10-foot jumper by Warren with 27 seconds left put Cleveland ahead to stay, 104-102, after the Cavs rebounded from a 102-98 deficit with 3:06 remaining.

    Dave Sorenson, the rookie from Ohio State who is rapidly finding a home in the National Basketball Association, set up Warren's go-ahead basket with a 15-foot jumper and free throw.

    Dave then grabbed three very important rebounds and added two equally important free throws with 17 seconds left to seal the decision.

    CLEVELAND outscored the Braves, 10-0, for all but seven seconds of the final three minutes.  And the Cavaliers actually allowed Buffalo to score its final two baskets, making sure they didn't foul.

    "I tried to penetrate and then pass off," explained Warren.  "But Buffalo collapsed and on one was open so I took the shot."

    "I was worried.  I haven't been doing too well with my jumper lately."

    The game not only produced Cleveland's second victory of the season, but also an outstanding scoring duel between Wesley and Buffalo's Bob Kauffman.

    Big Walt pumped in 33 points, however Kauffman socred 40 for game honors.

    "Can you imagine?" asked Fitch.  "That's 73 points Chicago gave away," he added, alluding to the two players once employed by the Bulls.

    Wesley scored 11 points in the first quarter, leading the Cavs to a 30-22 advantage at the buzzer.  He hit 12 more in the third period when Buffalo threatened to break the game open.  Wlater also snared a team-high 12 rebounds.

    WESLEY TOOK a nasty spill late in the third period, forcing him to the dressing room.  He returned and played the better part of the fourth quarter with a very painful back.

    Buffalo led 13 times and Cleveland was on top eight occasions.  The score was tied 14 times before the Cavs put it away.

    Cleveland outscored the Braves, 13-6, to finish the first quarter and then outshot Buffalo, 21-11, early in the second to go up by 18.

    Buffalo, with its full court press in full throttle, chipped away at Cleveland's lead and finally tied it at 60-all.

    The Cavs led by five points twice early in the final quarter.  Buffalo bounced back to lead by four, 100-96, and 102-98.  It was all Cleveland the rest of the way.

    Fitch inserted his Firehouse-Five-less-one late in the second quarter and last night the kids didn't do it.

    "I PROVED to them that it takes much  more game experience," explained Fitch.

    Larry Mikan and Joe Cooke entered the contest, joining Sorenson, Johnson and McCoy McLemore with 3:53 left in the first half and Cleveland ahead, 53-38.  When they left, the Cavs were on top, 59-52, at intermission.

    Wesley had plenty of scoring help from Johnson with 24 points, McLemore, 15, and Sorenson, 13.

    Don May, Buffalo's leading scorer, played only six minutes last night because of an injured right foot.

    "We've played a lot better and lost," said Fitch, "but there were times out there tonight where we looked damn good.

    "The fans, God bless 'em, helped a lot, especially in those final minutes."

    The Cavs play again Wednesday night when they host the Portland Trail Blazers.