THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, January 22, 1995 TAG: 9501190163
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 19 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JEFF ZEIGLER
LENGTH: Medium: 66 lines
JUST WHEN Claudie Mackey thought things could get no worse, they got worse.
The Elizabeth City State University men's basketball team completed a homestand this past week with an 0-5 record and a nine-game losing streak intact.
In back-to-back games, the Vikings dropped a decision to Livingstone College, a team with just one win coming into the game, and an 86-76 loss to St. Augustine's.
Looking up at the ceiling in disgust and pained grimaces have become a way of life this year for the Vikings, who at times looked lifeless in the St. Augustine's game, then came on strong at the end to make the game close.
With 40 seconds to play, a steal by Adrian Bell led to a layup by Montez Wilson to cut the St. Aug's lead to 80-75.
But ECSU could get no closer.
Mackey, ECSU's head coach until March 1, insists the team has not thrown in the towel.
``I thought we played well with a minute and some change to go,'' Mackey said.
``That's important to us because it says `you can do that.' They could have stuck their heads in the ground and quit.''
The Vikings still have not solved two problems - help at the point guard spot and a confident outside shooter.
Starting point guard Adrian Bell has had little help with the playmaking so far.
This has led to deceivingly high turnover numbers for the sophomore.
``We are looking too much to Adrian to handle the ball,'' Mackey said.
The two main shooters on the team - Jermaine Smoak and Ron Nowlin - have both struggled.
Nowlin was 5-for-12 from the floor and scored 15 points against St. Augustine's.
Smoak was 6-for-14, including an 0-for-4 in 3-pointers, and scored 17 points.
``Ron has gotten caught up in worrying about everything,'' Mackey said.
``He's struggling from the outside.''
Mackey said ECSU's schedule of three games in four days last week didn't help, either.
``At halftime of the women's game we had to call and wake Ron up in his room,'' Mackey said.
``I believe him when he says he's tired.''
Now the team will head out to the road where it had success during the 1992-93 season when the squad went 18-10.
``I'll be glad to get out of this house,'' Mackey quipped. ``The biggest thing is finding confidence in ourselves and then doing the things we know how to do.''
The Vikings do not play home again until a Jan. 28 meeting with St. Paul's College. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Claudie Mackey
Insists the team has not thrown in the towel.
by CNB