THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, August 3, 1995 TAG: 9508030632
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DWIGHT FOXX, CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Short : 33 lines
Mario Mullen and Derrick Bryant are close friends who also happen to be extremely competitive.
The dynamic duo needed that edge Wednesday night in helping their team, top-seeded Central Fidelity, rally from a 25-point deficit to defeat eighth-seeded Planet Music, 137-125, in quarterfinal playoff action in the Hampton Roads Pro-Am Basketball League.
Mullen and Bryant combined for 85 points and 35 rebounds in avoiding an upset by Planet Music, which began the game with a 16-0 run and led 63-38 just before halftime.
It didn't help that Central Fidelity was missing three of its best players in Jo Jo Chambers, J.J. Williams and Kevin Larkin.
Fidelity went on a 44-16 run and took a lead, 80-79, it would not relinquish when Bryant nailed a 3-pointer with 5:15 remaining in the third period. In the nightcap, Damon Bacote erupted for 53 points as the third-seeded Bombers advanced to the semifinals with a 147-145 win over Contel. Contel had a chance to send the game into overtime but a running, one-hander by Darryl Paul bounced away.
Today's games feature second-seeded Kershner and Hawkins against the Allen Iverson-led A&G Auto team at 6 p.m. and the Hampton Roads Admirals against Sports Authority at 8 p.m. by CNB