THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, February 1, 1995 TAG: 9502010598
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BOB MOLINARO
DATELINE: HAMPTON LENGTH: Medium: 67 lines
According to its own advertising, ESPN2 is ``slightly hotter.''
This promise was printed on a banner hanging behind the Norfolk State bench Tuesday night as the Spartans played Hampton University before 7,200 at the Convocation Center.
How many watched on ESPN2 is unknown, not to mention unimportant - ESPN's slightly hotter little brother is an orphan to all but 17 million homes, none in Southeastern Virginia.
``I think it oughta be a good TV game,'' said courtside analyst Dan Bonner, on loan from ESPN.
Bonner, an ACC guy, was doing his first CIAA game of the season.
``Basketball's basketball,'' he figured.
And a rivalry remains a rivalry, even when one team is defending its No. 3-ranking in the Division II national poll and the other is making do without its two best players.
For the longest time, it appeared that Norfolk State would comfortably extend its winning streak to 14.
But that was before Hampton's JaFonde (You can call him J.J.) Williams began throwing in jump shots from I-64, dragging the game kicking and screaming into two overtimes before Norfolk State could find a way to win, 92-88.
Williams treated the 3-point line with distain. His biggest shots came from at least five-feet behind the arc.
This was a good game, all right, TV or otherwise. Blame it on J.J. and his improbable Js.
Whoever was watching out there on the far edges of the cable frontier was introduced to a new name with an impressive game.
Norfolk State had the better team, the superior depth and size. Hampton had Williams, who was slightly hotter.
The battle between Norfolk State and J.J. Williams was nearly a draw.
Williams went for 47 points, 35 in the second half and overtime sessions.
Before introducing its players, Hampton turned out the lights, cranked up the theme from ``Rocky,'' and switched on the dry ice machine.
But it was Norfolk State's Corey Williams who came out smoking. The Spartan senior made six of nine shots in the first half, including three 3-pointers. The visitors led, 44-31.
Williams was not the same player in the second half. Not coincidently, the Spartans weren't the same team.
Somehow, Mike Bernard's team survived - if barely - J.J.'s artillery. Probably, it had something to do with the Spartans' experience.
This team doesn't rattle. It finds a way to survive its own poor free-throw shooting, an erratic second half from its star player, or outrageous shot selections.
In the first overtime, Norfolk State could do no better than keep pace with J.J. Williams' shooting. But in the final five minutes, the Spartans were the physically stronger team. Perhaps they were mentally stronger, as well.
J.J. Williams came within three points of matching Rick Mahorn's school record 50 points. At one time or another, he came within another trey of wrecking Norfolk State's night.
When it was over, and ESPN2 had signed off, the Spartans left the gym slightly bent, but with their 14-game winning streak unbroken.
The victory meant that nothing had really changed. Norfolk State is like any other experienced, confident, determined, winning basketball team.
Except slightly hotter. by CNB