THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, March 10, 1995 TAG: 9503100444
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ED MILLER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. LENGTH: Short : 40 lines
Although it's officially called the NCAA Division II South Atlantic Regional, the four-team tournament being held here tonight and Saturday could just as easily be dubbed the CIAA Invitational.
All the teams involved are from the CIAA. Defending regional champion Norfolk State (25-4) takes on Johnson C. Smith (20-7) tonight at 7 at the Cumberland County Civic Center, followed by Shaw (20-8) and Virginia Union (25-4) at 9.
``With the familiarity that everyone has, I guess the name of the game will be execution,'' Spartans coach Mike Bernard said.
And sudden death. A loss would send the Spartans home for the year. A win will get them a step closer to a second consecutive trip to the Division II Elite Eight.
To get there, the Spartans will first need to get by a J.C. Smith team that is one of the most athletic in the CIAA.
``They get in transition real well,'' Bernard said. ``They shoot the ball well from the wings and they have good balance in their starting lineup.''
The Golden Bulls are led inside by All-CIAA forward Robert Boykins and on the perimeter by shooting guard Melvin Abrams. The pair gave Norfolk State fits in the Spartans' 84-79 victory on Jan. 7.
``They're a better team than they were then,'' Bernard said.
So is 11th-ranked Norfolk State, which tied for the CIAA Northern Division title and won three games at the conference tournament before falling to Virginia Union in the final.
Norfolk State has spent the past 10 days trying to put that loss behind them while angling for a rematch with Virginia Union.
``We've had good spirited practices,'' Bernard said. ``I feel the guys are mentally ready to play.'' by CNB