THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, March 3, 1996 TAG: 9603030223
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY RICH RADFORD, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. LENGTH: Medium: 66 lines
Did you expect anything less than a classic?
Norfolk State took Virginia Union into overtime for the second time this season when Rodney Carmichael connected on two free throws with less than one second left in regulation Saturday night, then beat the Panthers 72-70 to win the CIAA tournament - the only title they could this season.
Because the Spartans have applied for Division I status beginning in two years, they cannot go to the Division II tournament and by winning the CIAA tournament deprived the league of its automatic bid.
The Panthers, however, by virtue of their No. 2 national ranking are all but assured an at-large bid and will host the Atlantic Regionals at the Ashe Center in Richmond.
Carmichael was fouled by Luther Bates battling for rebounding position as Derrick Bryant launched a desperation 3-pointer with time winding down. Bryant's shot was long, but Bates and Carmichael went crashing to the floor.
Officials put :00.8 back on the clock for Carmichael's free throws, which tied it at 64.
``I didn't think the officials would make a call like that at the end,'' Carmichael said. ``I just tried to take my time on the free throws.''
In overtime Bryant, who had 23 points and 12 rebounds, hit a rainbow 18-foot jumper over the outstretched arm of Union center Ben Wallace to give the Spartans a 69-68 lead with 1:17 remaining.
When Maurice Greene missed a running 10-footer at the other end, the Spartans came down and Bryant found Carmichael on a backdoor cut for a 71-68 lead with 32 seconds left.
Union had a chance to tie matters when Wallace scored on a rebound and was fouled with 13 seconds left.
But Wallace missed and Carmichael rebounded, then hit the second of two free throws with 11 seconds left after being fouled. He finished with 15 points.
Thomas Meredith's running 3-point attempt hit the front of the rim as time expired.
NSU split with Union during the regular season, falling 76-60 in Richmond and beating the Panthers 77-74 in overtime in Norfolk.
Lackluster free-throw shooting by the Panthers (25-2) at the end of regulation cost them severely.
Marquise Newbie and Wallace both missed a pair of foul shots in the last minute of regulation.
Finally, with 26 seconds left in regulation, James Marshall made two foul shots for a 64-62 lead, setting up Carmichael.
``I'm glad we did it tonight because we're losing some big-time seniors and it's going to be a lot tougher next year,'' said Carmichael, referring to the departure of Bryant and Carnell Penn.
.
Penn was named the tournament's most valuable player.
Wallace finished with 17 points and 10 rebounds for Union.
``This was a classic game and a true test of character,'' NSU coach Mike Bernard said. ``The guys came through when they had to.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo
CHRISTOPHER REDDICK/The Virginian-Pilot
An airborne Jay Butler of Virginia Union draws the foul from Norfolk
State's Blitz Wooten during the Spartans' win Saturday.
by CNB