THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, February 14, 1996 TAG: 9602140561
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY RICH RADFORD, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ELIZABETH CITY LENGTH: Medium: 54 lines
Three nights after knocking off one of the CIAA's division leaders, Elizabeth City State's Vikings came up just shy of repeating the feat.
The Vikings, down by 16 early in the second half, charged back and actually pulled even with Virginia Union (ranked fourth in Division II) at one point before falling 80-74 Tuesday night at Vaughan Center.
``They're a good team, a phenomenal shooting team,'' said Virginia Union coach Dave Robbins. ``They will be a team of the future, whether it's this year or next.''
This year meaning the CIAA tournament, which is two weeks away in Winston-Salem, N.C.
Elizabeth City (14-10 overall, 10-5 CIAA) has set itself up as the tournament's darkhorse pick, particularly after upsetting CIAA Southern Division leader North Carolina Central Saturday night, 83-80.
This was the second close call the Panthers have survived with Elizabeth City. Two weeks ago, Virginia Union had to eke out a 55-52 overtime win in Richmond.
This time, the Panthers had to survive a late charge. After Union scored the first 10 points of the second half for a 51-35 advantage, the Vikings roared back behind the hot shooting of Theron Curry, who scored a game-high 25 points and canned six 3-pointers, the last with 4:45 remaining that tied it at 67-all.
Northern Division-leading Virginia Union (20-1, 13-1) scored the next six points, four by Marquise Newbie, who finished with a team-high 18 points, for a 73-67 lead.
The Vikings weren't done, though, and struck back with a five-point play as Maurice Mincey canned a 3-pointer while Curry was being fouled battling for rebounding position. Curry then made two free throws.
The game ended in bizarre fashion. After Maurice Mincey missed a 3-pointer with six seconds left, Maurice Greene was fouled and went to the free throw line.
Twice Elizabeth City State's players left the lane after Greene was handed the ball in an attempt to force a double lane violation with the possession arrow pointing the Vikings' way.
The second time, the Vikings were called for a delay of game technical foul. Greene made 3 of 4 foul shots to end it.
``We needed the ball back and it was the only hope we had,'' Vikings coach Barry Hamler said. ILLUSTRATION: NSU GAMEWATCH
[For a copy of the graphic, see microfilm for this date.]
by CNB