DATE: Thursday, March 20, 1997              TAG: 9703200439

SECTION: SPORTS                  PAGE: C4   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY AMY SAMPLE, CORRESPONDENT 

DATELINE: LOUISVILLE, KY.                   LENGTH:   37 lines

ECSU FALLS IN ELITE EIGHT OPENER

An early 11-point lead was not enough for the Elizabeth City State Vikings to overcome the backcourt play of Salem-Teikyo as the Vikings bowed out 91-74 Wednesday in the first round of the NCAA Division II Elite Eight tournament.

ECSU (22-7) claimed the double-digit lead midway through the first half after a follow-up shot by freshman center Marcus Riddick, who finished with 13 points.

Salem-Teikyo (28-2) regrouped with a timeout, and first-half turnovers by Elizabeth City keyed a Tigers' comeback, leading to 18 points in the first half.

Junior guard Terrance Springer had 17 as Salem-Teikyo cut Elizabeth City State's lead to 45-44 at the break.

Two minutes into the second half, ECSU coach Barry Hamler was whistled for a technical foul. He said his team's aggressive play brought too many whistles.

``In the CIAA, we sort of beat up on each other, and we came in here looking for a brawl where anything goes,'' Hamler said.

The Vikings hit only 9 of 23 shots in the second half but fought back to within four points with seven minutes remaining on the play of senior forward Anthony Harris, who led the team with 15 points and seven rebounds. But Elizabeth City failed to score in the final two minutes, ending their season before the crowd of 1,175.

The Vikings were hoping to avenge an early-season 18-point loss to Salem-Teikyo, but could not stop the 30-point performance of Springer, who was 10 for 12 from the field. ILLUSTRATION: Photo

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Salem-Teikyo's Chris Battley gets the basket and foul Wednesday.

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