Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, March 20, 1992                   TAG: 9203200220
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B9   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: BILL BRILL SPORTSWRITER
DATELINE: GREENSBORO, N.C.                                LENGTH: Medium

BLUE DEVILS BREEZE

The Camels never backed down against No. 1 Duke, and the 82-56 defeat in the NCAA East first round would have been even more respectable had not Campbell shot just 18.8 percent in the first half.

But Campbell, in general, and skinny junior Mark Mocnik, in particular, had a more relaxed second half, and when it was over, had a million memories for scrap books.

Mocnik, MVP in the Big South tournament that provided Campbell (19-12) the impetus into its first NCAA Tournament, set a school record with seven 3-pointers and wound up with 29 points, more than half his team's total.

The shots weren't easy, either, because Duke came to play defensively.

The Blue Devils led 8-0 before Campbell got off a shot, but Mocnik hit a 3-pointer to answer any questions that the Camels would quit without a fight.

Campbell's 2-2-1 zone gave Duke problems offensively, and the Blue Devils led only 36-16 even after holding the Camels to six field goals in 32 attempts.

In the second half, however, Mocnik hit trey's from everywhere, and the Blue Devils never could put the game away.

"I think we made a statement," said Campbell's colorful coach, Billy Lee. "In the second half, with nine minutes left, the [second-half] score was tied. We got beat but we didn't back down."

Mocnik was the only weapon for Campbell, which shot 28.2 percent. He suffered from a leg cramp near the end of the game, and was given a standing ovation when he left briefly.

"It was a fun time for us," Mocnik said. "I'm glad I could help out today."

Duke's pressure defense forced 14 first-half turnovers. "The first half was for us to see what it's like," Mocnik said. "I think we got a little frustrated, me included. We took some bad shots."

But he didn't take any bad ones in the last half. He had nine field goals and finished with 11 of Campbell's 20.

Mocnik also had 10 rebounds as the scrappy Camels beat far taller Duke, 43-40, on the boards.

In particular, the Camels scrapped when they missed, and came up with 22 offensive rebounds, the most against Duke all year.

Campbell ended the first half by missing 16 straight shots, but in the second half it was difficult to tell the team from Buies Creek from the one from Durham.

"I thought we played a good second half. We adjusted well," Mocnik said. "I know this will be a game I'll never forget." \

see microfilm for box score

Keywords:
BASKETBALL