THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, February 6, 1995 TAG: 9502060139
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ED MILLER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 51 lines
If Norfolk State was going to lose a game before the CIAA tournament, it stood to reason that it would be Saturday night against Virginia Union.
Consider: Norfolk State was facing the nation's ninth-ranked team, on the road; a team that had won five in a row and was gunning for the Spartans after losing to them in Norfolk two weeks earlier.
It stood to reason that Norfolk State might fall to Virginia Union, and the Spartans did, 73-70. But afterward, Norfolk State coach Mike Bernard wasn't interested in that type of reasoning, or in any talk that the Spartans might have been ``due'' for a loss after 14 consecutive victories.
``We don't think that way,'' Bernard said. ``We don't think about losing, period.''
Now that they have lost, for the first time since Dec. 10, Norfolk State (17-3, 6-2 CIAA North) needs to think about keeping pace with Virginia Union in the CIAA North.
Here's the scenario: Both teams have two losses in the division. Virginia Union, at 8-2, has two division games remaining. The Spartans, at 6-2, have four.
If the teams finish in a tie, the first tiebreaker would be overall conference record. If the Spartans and Panthers win the remainder of their games, both will be 17-2 in the conference.
The next tiebreaker would be overall record. If neither team slips up, each will finish with three losses. The third and final tiebreaker is a coin flip.
To force that scenario, third-ranked Norfolk State will need to resume its winning ways, starting tonight against Bowie State.
After their last loss, the Spartans responded with a 14-game winning streak. That loss snapped the team to attention. Forward Corey Williams said Saturday's loss may do the same. ``Just a wake-up call,'' he said. ``A little wake-up call.''
Bernard's primary criticism Saturday was of his team's defense. The Spartans allowed Virginia Union to shoot 57 percent in the second half, including 5 of 6 from 3-point range.
Still, the Spartans were in a position to tie the game twice in the final 45 seconds, only to be turned away by some big defensive plays by Virginia Union center Ben Wallace, who had a steal and two blocks down the stretch.
``We made a good showing,'' Bernard said. ``But we didn't play well enough to win.'' by CNB