THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, November 27, 1994 TAG: 9411230270
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 23 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JEFF ZEIGLER, CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: WEST CHESTER, PA LENGTH: Short : 50 lines
DESPITE A SCARE last Friday night, the Elizabeth City State University men's basketball team has begun its ``unfinished business'' season undefeated.
The Vikings took home the first- place trophy in the West Chester State University Tip-Off Tournament last weekend by downing Longwood College 89-88 in double overtime and knocking off host West Chester 72-62.
The Vikings played the first game without starters Jo-ve Ford and Jermaine Smoake.
Head coach Claudie Mackey said the university submitted an eligibility compliance list late to the CIAA office and the league didn't have ample time to certify the starters.
Mackey decided not to use them.
Missing two big links showed in the Vikings game, but first-year forward Bernard Cooper picked up the slack with 30 points and 17 rebounds in the win over Longwood.
``Longwood didn't press us full court. That saved us because we had to go two overtimes,'' Mackey said.
``Throughout the years very few schools have pressed us. Traditionally we have had success in breaking the press. Sometimes your reputation helps you.''
Good thing Longwood didn't press - point guard Adrian Bell had to play the full 50 minutes.
Bell had 10 assists and Ron Nowlin pumped in 31 points for the Vikings.
In the championship game, the Vikings were facing a much tougher West Chester team (22-6 last year) but at least ECSU was at full strength.
With all the players back, ECSU's 12-0 run late in the first half clinched the win.
Again, Cooper led the Vikings with 15 points, Bell scored 14 points and dished out six assists, and Ford scored 13 points and led the team in rebounding. Nowlin chipped in 12 points and Smoake added 10 points in his ECSU debut.
Mackey was pleased with Cooper's play.
He has big shoes to fill in replacing names like Nate Higgs and Maurice Barnett.
``He's a player; he's not just another long, tall boy,'' Mackey said. by CNB