THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, February 21, 1995 TAG: 9502210409
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ED MILLER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 70 lines
The Norfolk State Spartanettes did a little more of everything this year, scoring more points (92.1 per game) and using more players (an 11-woman rotation) than any team in school history.
Unfortunately, they also did more losing than usual, too. At 22-4, they enter the CIAA tournament with more losses than any Spartanettes team in the last four years.
Still, that's hardly cause for alarm. The rest of the CIAA may be creeping up on Norfolk State, but the Spartanettes enter the conference tournament tonight against Hampton as the clear favorite.
It's a familiar position for Norfolk State, which had won three consecutive CIAA tournaments before falling in the semifinals to Hampton last year.
Norfolk State recovered to advance to the NCAA Elite Eight, and, with five starters back, was expected to be better than ever this season.
The Spartanettes got off to a 12-1 start but then lost two of three - to Virginia Union and Bowie State - and fell out of first place in the CIAA North.
Norfolk State avenged both losses, however, and although the Spartanettes stumbled again at the University of the District of Columbia, they finished the season with six victories in a row.
Depth played a big part in most of them. Although they've again been led by All-American candidates Kristi Greene and Lisa Rice, the Spartanettes have had the luxury of not having to rely on any particular player. Rice, Division II's all-time assist leader, leads the team in minutes played, at 30.4 per game, but no else averages more than 26.
Using so many players seems to have hurt Norfolk State at times, as coach James Sweat searched for the right combination. But in a three-game tournament, that type of depth can pay off, and no other CIAA team has it.
The Spartanettes received a bye in first-round play and will meet Hampton, a winner Monday over North Carolina Central, tonight at 7.
In Monday's other games:
Hampton 51, N.C. Central 31: Shani Bauldrick had 16 points and eight rebounds for the Lady Pirates (10-17), who took an early 18-7 lead and were never headed. Michelle Harrison had 10 points for the Lady Eagles (9-16), who shot 9 of 57 (15.8 percent) but outrebounded Hampton, 59-58.
Virginia Union 98, Johnson C. Smith 86: Marquetta Randolph had 36 points - six in a 12-1 run that gave the Panthers the lead for good at 61-50, to lead Virginia Union. Regina Fields added 22 points for the Panthers (17-9). Bonita Lynch and Diana Harrison had 20 points each for the Lady Golden Bulls (8-19), who were outrebounded, 63-39. Virginia Union will play Shaw at 9 tonight.
Virginia State 79, Winston-Salem State 58: Doris Moncrief scored 21 points for the Trojanettes (13-11), who took an 11-point halftime lead and more than doubled it with a 12-0 run to open the second half. Chellia Nelson led the Lady Rams (7-10) with 24 points. Virginia State will play St. Augustine's at 1 p.m. today.
St. Augustine's 69, St. Paul's 58: Monique Pierce had 18 points and 18 rebounds for the Mighty Falcons (19-6), who built on a six-point halftime lead, then held off the Lady Tigers down the stretch. Linda Bell led St. Paul's (3-22) with 27 points. St. Augustine's will play Virginia Union at 1 p.m. today.
Fayetteville State 82, Elizabeth City State 64: Joanna Robisch scored 20 points and Christina Hollins 17 for the Lady Broncos, who put the game away with a 51-point second half. Karen Watkins and Joan Sharpe scored 14 each for ECSU (8-19). Fayetteville State (17-10) will face the winner of the Bowie State-Livingstone game at 3 p.m. today.
Results of the Bowie State-Livingston game were not available at press time. by CNB