ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, February 4, 1996 TAG: 9602050084
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: TALLAHASSEE, FLA.
SOURCE: FRANK VEHORN LANDMARK NEWS SERVICE
Harold Deane wrapped an arm around freshman Darryl Presley as they left the court Saturday and softly said, ``You can smile now, D.P. You can smile now.''
Indeed, the entire Virginia team finally could smile again following a 64-59 men's basketball victory over Florida State.
Virginia's first win since Jan.13 ended a five-game losing streak, the longest in coach Jeff Jones' six-year reign, and lifted the Cavaliers (8-10 overall, 3-6 ACC) out of the league cellar.
``It sure feels a lot better than after the last few games,'' Jones replied when asked if he felt a sense of relief. ``I just want to turn this into something positive that will help us Monday night when we play Old Dominion.''
The most encouraging part of the Cavaliers' first ACC road victory of the season was the second-half play of sophomore forward Norman Nolan.
Throughout this frustrating season, Deane has been looking for a dancing partner down low, someone who could provide scoring help and take some heat off him.
Nolan was that man in the second half, opening up offensive opportunities for himself and Deane.
The duo teamed to score 31 of Virginia's 43 second-half points, with Nolan hitting six of seven shots for 12 points and Deane going 5-for-8 and scoring 19 points.
The Cavaliers did not take their first lead until a Nolan jam with 7:13 remaining.
They never trailed again, but it took a beautifully executed slam dunk by the muscular 6-foot-8 Nolan with 46 seconds left to close out the Seminoles.
The Cavaliers were working the shot clock from the perimeter when Jamal Robinson alertly found Nolan all alone near the basket.
``I didn't know how wide-open I was, which is why I took a dribble before attacking the basket,'' Nolan said.
The victory might not have been such a struggle if Nolan had not gotten into early foul trouble and played only seven minutes in the first half.
With him on the bench, the taller Seminoles rallied behind 6-foot-11 freshman Randell Jackson to lead 28-21 at intermission.
Nolan had only two points and Deane seven at the break.
The Cavaliers opened the second half by immediately going low for a basket from Nolan, and soon afterward Deane could feel the defensive pressure easing on him.
``It makes it so much easier for me when we have someone scoring inside,'' Deane said. ``It allowed me to penetrate and dish the ball off'' to Nolan.
After shooting 33 percent from the field in the first half, the Cavaliers hit 55.6 percent in the second half.
Meanwhile, the Seminoles lost their fourth consecutive ACC game by shooting 37 percent in each half.
``Virginia did a great job of making plays down the stretch. We didn't, and that was the difference,'' said Florida State coach Pat Kennedy, who heard a chorus of boos at the final buzzer. ``Nolan did a fine job of posting up in the second half, and they did a good job of looking for him.''
Jackson had 17 points, but was the only Seminole in double figures. James Collins finished with eight after scoring in double figures for 49 consecutive games.
``We are struggling. We have to do a better [job] of execution and put ourselves in position to win,'' Kennedy said.
The Cavaliers had been saying the same things the past three weeks, and went to two-a-day practices this week in an attempt to end their misery.
``It has been hard,'' Deane said of the losing streak. ``I don't like to lose in anything I do, so it might have been a little harder on me than most people.''
As for the remainder of the season, Deane said the Cavaliers will continue to play hard, try to improve and see what happens.
``We don't know what the future holds,'' he said.
But he did know it looked much brighter than it had for a while.
NOTE: Please see microfilm for scores.
LENGTH: Medium: 81 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: AP. Virginia's Harold Deane (left) tries to control aby CNBloose ball while holding off Florida State's Scott Shepherd. KEYWORDS: BASKETBALL