THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, January 25, 1995 TAG: 9501250584
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ED MILLER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 58 lines
They've won tight games and they've won blowouts.
They've won at home and they've won 400 miles from home.
They've won on live TV and they've won in games that weren't even carried on radio; in front of 8,000 fans and in front of 300 close friends; in bandbox gyms and in large arenas.
No matter the circumstance lately, Norfolk State, which has won 11 in a row, has found a way to prevail.
``We're learning how to win,'' coach Mike Bernard said after Monday night's 89-58 victory over Bowie State. ``Regardless of the situation, we're learning to adjust and win games.''
The 14-2 Spartans, who have jumped to No. 4 in the Division II poll, will put their streak on the line tonight at 8 against Shaw (11-4) at Echols Arena (Radio: WNSB, 91.1-FM).
The Spartans have won 16 in a row over Shaw, dating to 1982.
After a 3-2 start, the Spartans have begun to look like the team they were supposed to be this year, a team that was in everybody's preseason top 10 and was picked to win the national championship by Sports Illustrated.
``We had the talent,'' Bernard said. ``We had as a team to come together attitudinally.''
Attitude's been a big part of the 11-game streak. Players have willingly spread the scoring around. Four different players have led the team in scoring at least once during the streak.
``Players who could score a lot more are doing other things,'' Bernard said.
The Spartans put together a 12-game winning streak last season, but this year's squad is deeper. It survived the suspension of center Charles Newborn, who has missed eight games. It won despite losing its two main offensive threats, Corey Williams and Carnell Penn, for a game.
``We feel very confident about who gets in the game at any given time,'' forward Derrick Bryant said.
At various times during the streak, Marvin Stinson, Rodney Carmichael and Matthew Thompson have come up with key performances off the bench.
``Each game, different people are stepping up,'' Bryant said.
In retrospect, being upset twice early may have been good for the Spartans. It's taught them not to take any team for granted.
``Anybody can get you,'' center Blitz Wooten said. ``You just have to prepare yourself mentally.''
Shaw, which went 7-20 last year, surprisingly is in first place in the CIAA South.
The Bears are one of the conference's best 3-point shooting teams, hitting 37 percent from behind the arc. Guard Jeff Campbell is the top 3-point shooter in the conference, hitting 49 percent.
The Bears have gotten strong inside play from 6-foot-11, 310-pound center Marvin Lucas, who is second in the conference in blocked shots and sixth in rebounding. by CNB