THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, January 3, 1996 TAG: 9601030541
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY STEVE CARLSON, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Short : 37 lines
The feeling in Mario Mullen's back was similar to what he experienced when he was in an automobile accident in April 1993.
Mullen hopes the fallout from the pain is much different. His first back injury required surgery in November 1993.
The Monarchs' senior forward sat out Tuesday night's game against St. Joseph's after feeling pain in the lower left side of his back in the first half of the Dec. 28 Cal-Sacramento game.
``I don't know at which point it happened,'' Mullen said before the game. ``Before the half started it hurt real bad and got stiff. We put heat on it at halftime and then I played the second half.''
Mullen has not been able to practice since, and had difficulty walking for a couple days. But he said the back is responding to medication and treatment and he hopes to play Saturday night when ODU opens Colonial Athletic Association action at home against Virginia Commonwealth.
``I have a lot more mobility than I had in Sacramento,'' Mullen said. ``I'm not even worried about it.''
Coach Jeff Capel said the Monarchs will see how Mullen's back progresses before considering other actions. ``If it doesn't respond (to treatment) in the next couple days we're going to have to get an MRI done to see if there's any damage done to the disc,'' Capel said. ILLUSTRATION: Mario Mullen said his back is responding to treatment and he
hopes to play Saturday against VCU.
by CNB