THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, March 11, 1995 TAG: 9503110405
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ED MILLER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. LENGTH: Medium: 72 lines
The Norfolk State Spartans had nearly two weeks to prepare for the NCAA South Atlantic Regional tournament, and judging by their performance Friday night, they didn't waste a minute of it.
The Spartans, turning in perhaps their best defensive performance of the season, smothered Johnson C. Smith, 89-61, at the Cumberland County Civic Center to advance to the regional final tonight. Norfolk State (25-5) will play Virginia Union (26-4) at 9 p.m., with the winner advancing to the Division II Elite Eight in Louisville.
It will be the fourth meeting between the Panthers and the Spartans, and a rematch of last year's regional final, won by Norfolk State, 71-69.
Virginia Union has taken two of three from Norfolk State this year, including a 61-56 win in the CIAA tournament final Feb. 25.
Norfolk State had nearly two weeks to put that loss behind them, and took advantage of the long layoff, guard Carnell Penn said.
``From the (CIAA) tournament until now, we were really focused,'' Penn said. ``We wanted to come in highly intense, and we did.''
Norfolk State shot 61 percent while holding the Golden Bulls (21-8) 25 points below their season average.
``We were somewhat manhandled,'' J.C. Smith coach Steve Joyner said. ``Their size and strength was overwhelming tonight.''
So was Norfolk State's defense. The Spartans got in the passing lanes early, deflecting several Golden Bull passes to run to a 17-8 lead with 13:05 left.
The Golden Bulls kept the margin around 10 for the next five minutes, until Norfolk State took control for good with a 24-7 run late in the first half.
CIAA player of the year Corey Williams put the finishing touches on the flurry by scoring seven straight on a reverse layup, a jumper, and a steal and layup he converted into a three-point play.
``Everybody was looking for their shot tonight,'' Williams said. ``We just got in a rhythm.''
J.C. Smith, meanwhile, had two left feet. The Golden Bulls shot 38 percent in the first half, 40 percent for the game.
``It's late in the year and at this point you need to have a certain amount of stamina and a certain amount of mental toughness,'' Joyner said. ``We just didn't have that tenacity you need in NCAA play.''
Norfolk State had tenacity in excess, in both its zone and man to man defenses.
``Considering the fact that this is a tournament, and considering the fact that the result of it is that someone is going to Louisville, it was one of our finer defensive efforts,'' NSU coach Mike Bernard said. ``It's good to have this kind of defensive effort this time of year.''
On offense, the Spartans pounded the ball inside early, and after softening the Golden Bulls up under the basket, they began heating up from the perimeter. Penn hit five of nine treys, while Williams hit several jumpers from just inside the arc.
Penn finished with a game-high 27 points, while Williams had 25. Derrick Bryant had 14 points and 12 rebounds and Blitz Wooten 10 points and nine boards.
``The intensity was there,'' Williams said. ``We're defending South Atlantic champs, and we came here to defend our championship.''
To do it, they'll need to contain a Union team that they'll be playing for the eighth time in two years. Union has won four and Norfolk State three. They've split the last four games, and none have been decided by more than seven points.
Thomas Meredith and Luther Bates combined for 42 points to lead Virginia Union (26-4). Meredith, a 6-4 junior, had 22 points, while the 6-6 Bates added 20. Union held Shaw (20-9) to 31 percent shooting while hitting 41 of 66 free throws. by CNB