THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, December 31, 1995 TAG: 9512310241
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C7 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY RICH RADFORD, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: TALLAHASSEE, FLA. LENGTH: Medium: 62 lines
One of the positives about the two-night Capital City Classic is that it offered Norfolk State a built-in ice pack for any psyches that may have been bruised by the Auburn Tigers.
One night after a 36-point loss to the Division I member Tigers, the Division II Spartans marched past NAIA member West Florida 71-52 Saturday at Tallahassee-Leon Civic Center in a four-team affair that lacked only a Division III squad to cover all the levels.
Carnell Penn, who'd made only 3 of 20 attempts from 3-point land in the Spartans' first four games, regained his shooting touch, canning four treys on his way to a game-high 24 points.
According to teammate Derrick Bryant, Penn found his range at an opportune time. The Spartans dive into CIAA play Tuesday night when they visit Livingstone College.
``I was telling him to keep shooting and that they'd start falling,'' Bryant said. ``It's very important he find his rhythm going into our CIAA schedule, and I consider him the best 3-point shooter in our league.''
When asked about rediscovering his shot, the senior guard said, ``It's about time.''
``I just had to take my time,'' said Penn, Norfolk State's all-time leader in 3-pointers. ``I definitely got some better looks at the basket tonight. I had enough time to square up and shoot, and that was the difference.''
Penn also made big plays on defense with four steals. And the Spartans as a team did a solid job of harassing the Argonauts (3-7), who committed 27 turnovers. The Spartans had only 10 turnovers.
Tied at 16 with seven minutes left in the first half, the Spartans went on a 15-5 run that was keyed by three Penn 3-pointers. They took a 31-21 lead into the break and were never seriously threatened in the second half.
``A lot of times you learn more from a loss than from a win,'' Norfolk State coach Mike Bernard said. ``We learned about intensity and execution (in the loss to Auburn). We can be a good ballclub. Maybe this will be the turning point in our season.''
With the CIAA slate upon the Spartans (4-1), there are still some elements of their game that have not fallen into place. Rodney Carmichael and Sean Blackwell, who are splitting time at the power forward position, combined for only seven points and seven rebounds Saturday night, and their play so far has been spotty at best.
Bernard, however, isn't about to move Bryant from small forward back to the power forward position he's played at Norfolk State the previous three years.
``We've only played five games,'' Bernard said. ``Rodney might have played poorly the last two games but I'm not about to give up on him. I have confidence in these guys and I'm not concerned with making any changes.''
The 6-foot-4 Bryant is also convinced that keeping him at small forward is best for the team.
``I love it in there,'' said Bryant, who had 14 points and 11 rebounds and was named to the all-tournament team. ``I've played that spot in high school, in AAU ball, in the pro-am league and for three years here.
``But it's very important for me to stay at the three (small forward) position. We're too little otherwise.'' by CNB