THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, February 18, 1995 TAG: 9502180724
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ED MILLER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 51 lines
The Norfolk State Spartans would like to thank Elizabeth City State for giving them a second chance at a CIAA Northern Division title by upsetting Virginia Union on Tuesday night.
But gratitude, of course, only goes so far, as the Spartans hope to prove tonight when they take on the Vikings at ECSU's Vaughan Center.
``They helped us in terms of reaching our goal, by defeating Union,'' Norfolk State coach Mike Bernard said. ``What we have to do now is go down there and beat them on their home floor.''
Talk of a national championship has swirled around Norfolk State since preseason. But the team's first goal was to win the CIAA North.
In losing to Hampton on Saturday night, the Spartans (20-4, 8-3 CIAA North) had seemingly blown that opportunity, falling a game behind Union with a game left to play.
Then came Elizabeth City with perhaps the season's biggest surprise, an 81-73 win over the Panthers, third-ranked nationally, and Norfolk State has a second chance.
Norfolk State center Blitz Wooten knows what they say about second chances.
``You don't want to blow it the second time it comes around,'' Wooten said. ``It's right there, you just have to grab it.''
If the Spartans win, they would be 9-3 in the North, 16-3 overall in the CIAA. If Union beats N.C. Central, the Panthers would also be 9-3 and 16-3. Since Norfolk State and Union split two games this year, the tie would be broken by coin flip Sunday afternoon, with the winner receiving a first-round bye in the conference tournament.
Elizabeth City is a mere 8-17, 4-7 in the North. But the Vikings have gone 5-5 since falling to Norfolk State, 82-63, on Jan. 21. In addition to beating Union, the Vikings also upset Hampton.
``They're playing their best ball at the right time, going into the tournament'' Bernard said. ``Throw the records away.''
The Vikings have traditionally given Norfolk State trouble in the Vaughan Center. Last year, Elizabeth City won, 81-75, at home.
Elizabeth City's fortunes have risen and fallen with the play of 7-foot-1 center Jo-Ve Ford, who has been dominant at times, dormant at others. Ford had 26 against Hampton, 19 against Union, but a quiet 10 against Norfolk State.
``When they take the ball into him, they play well,'' Bernard said. ``The double-teams open up things for their perimeter shooters.'' by CNB