THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, February 18, 1996 TAG: 9602180187
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY RICH RADFORD, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 71 lines
In a game of runs, Norfolk State ran hardest at the end.
The Spartans, needing a victory to sew up the third first-round bye in the upcoming CIAA Tournament, went on a 20-6 surge in the last six minutes to top Elizabeth City State 88-74 at Echols Arena Saturday night.
With Hampton leaving the CIAA last season, that left the conference with just 13 teams. While the Spartans (19-4 overall, 13-3 CIAA) are a long shot to tie Virginia Union for the Northern Division crown, they assured themselves of having the best record of a non-division winner, meaning they'll sit out the opening night's action on Feb. 28 in Winston-Salem, N.C.
``It's only important in that we get to rest,'' Norfolk State coach Mike Bernard said. ``I've never felt a bye is the best thing in the world. You sit up in the stands for a night watching the others play. But we haven't played a whole lot of people this season, so maybe this will give us some sufficient rest.''
There was no resting against the Vikings (14-11, 10-6). In a game that saw nine lead changes, the Spartans took the lead for good on two fouls shots by Carlton Cooper with 5:42 remaining. It was the Spartans' next basket, however, that truly ignited the run.
Derrick Bryant took a pass right of the foul line and spun twice on a drive to beat three Elizabeth City defenders. Fouled on the play, he converted the free throw for a 73-68 lead. After Carnell Penn scored on a putback, Bryant canned a 16-footer for a 77-68 lead with 4:24 remaining.
``He's done that one a couple times lately in practice,'' said teammate Maurice Whitfield. ``It was good he let a crowd see it tonight. It's a sweet move.
``They (the Vikings) came to play. But in the end we took their best punch and they couldn't take ours.''
The Vikings hit only 2 of their last 10 shots from the field and committed four turnovers down the stretch as the Spartans intensified their defensive effort, even though there were some strange matchups in their man-to-man approach.
Whitfield, a 6-foot-1 point guard, was on 6-6 small forward Theron Curry while Bryant, a 6-4 small forward, guarded Elizabeth City point guard Adrian Bell.
Whitfield hounded Curry most of the game, limiting the Vikings' sharpshooter to just 12 points.
``Mo proved he's a great defender tonight,'' Penn said. ``He can play anybody under 6-6. He pushed Curry out of his operating zone.''
Bryant, meanwhile, did well with his mismatch. In a one-minute stretch, Bryant caused an errant Bell pass, picked off a Curry pass to Bell and blocked a running jumper by Bell.
``I knew he doesn't have the greatest outside shot but that he's quick,'' Bryant said. ``So I gave him some room until he started to drive.''
Bryant finished with 20 points and 13 rebounds, leaving him four rebounds shy of 1,000 for his career. The Spartans have a week break before they close the regular season at home against North Carolina Central. Bryant has grabbed at least 10 rebounds in the Spartans' last seven games.
Norfolk State got 42 points from their line of forwards, with Rodney Carmichael chipping in a game-high 22 points and nine rebounds.
Penn added 17 points and Whitfield had 10 points, nine rebounds and seven assists.
Anthony Harris led the Vikings with 14 points while Maurice Mincey finished with 11 points and 15 rebounds.
``Their defense was the difference,'' Elizabeth City State coach Barry Hamler said. ``They play the best man-to-man I've seen in Division II. They picked it up a notch and pushed us out to the halfcourt line in those last few minutes. We've got to learn how to stop people the way they do.'' by CNB