THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, November 21, 1994 TAG: 9411210166
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ED MILLER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LOWELL, MASS. LENGTH: Medium: 63 lines
Norfolk State, which came up here looking for a little early-season test, got hit with the bar exam Sunday afternoon against UMass-Lowell.
The Spartans, expected to roll over Lowell, shot poorly, defended worse and were stunned by the smaller River Hawks, 72-65, in the championship of the New England Tip-Off Weekend at Lowell's Costello Gym.
``We got a loss and deserved to lose,'' Norfolk State coach Mike Bernard said. ``Our players were undisciplined and did not listen.''
Lowell, 10-18 a year ago and unimpressive Saturday in a win over Concordia, figured to be light quiz material for the Spartans, who've been ranked as high as second in preseason Division II polls.
But the River Hawks shot 53 percent, and made 7-of-12 from three-point range. They were 5-of-6 from behind the arc in the second half.
Bernard attributed Lowell's shooting to poor defense by the Spartans.
``We never put a hand up on a three (attempt) all day long,'' Bernard said. ``We allowed them to do whatever they wanted to do.''
The River Hawks wanted to control the pace against the larger, quicker Spartans, and they did.
Lowell also wanted to contain Norfolk State's Corey Williams, and again, it did.
Williams, playing on his 25th birthday, scored 19 points but had an off night shooting, going 7-of-21 from the field.
No one else did much better. Norfolk State (1-1) shot 28 percent in the first half, 35 percent for the game.
Lowell (2-0) employed a match-up zone defense and Norfolk State had difficulty getting good shots.
``For the most part, we pressured every shot,'' Lowell coach Gary Manchel said. ``We also hit some shots maybe we don't normally hit.''
Lowell hung tough and grew more confident as the game progressed.
Norfolk State led, 29-28, at the half and seemed to have finally gained control with 12:14 remaining, when a pair of free throws by Williams gave the Spartans a 46-41 lead.
Lowell came back to tie it at 50, however, and pulled ahead, 55-54, with 7:31 left.
The teams traded baskets for a while, but it was Norfolk State two-pointers against Lowell treys. The River Hawks canned three treys in a row, including the final back-breaker by Chad Kimbrough with 1:46 left and the shot clock running out.
That gave Lowell a 66-63 lead. Norfolk State wouldn't score again until Carnell Penn hit a 3 with 15 seconds remaining.
By then Lowell was already celebrating.
``Their players did what their coach asked them to do,'' Bernard said. ``Our players didn't do what they were asked.
``It all comes down to one thing: attitude. When your attitude stinks, you lose.''
Norfolk State outrebounded Lowell, 45-26, and had 26 offensive rebounds. But they didn't get much inside scoring, and with the jumpers not falling, they could have used it.
``We played a very unintelligent game,'' Bernard said. by CNB