THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc. DATE: Sunday, February 11, 1996 TAG: 9602110329 SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: FINAL SOURCE: BY REA FARMER, STAFF WRITER DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 66 lines
Derrick Bryant was focused on Virginia State. The senior believed this could be the last time he faced the intense rival and he wanted to take home the right to boast about Norfolk State superiority.
Saturday night, Bryant went out and did plenty to ensure the win, scoring 33 points with 14 rebounds to pace the Spartans to a 90-78 victory.
``We have so many people around here from Virginia State and they have so many people from Norfolk,'' Bryant said. ``This might be the last time we play them. I'm glad we came out on top. Now we have the bragging rights around here.''
Since the Spartans are moving to NCAA Division I status, their scheduled opponents will change. Bragging rights earned now could last a lifetime. Next year could be the final time Virginia State and Norfolk State share the court.
The Spartans opened the game with a 17-4 run and never relinquished the lead. Virginia State failed to seriously challenge, falling to 56-34 at the half.
``I think it was a good effort from all of the players,'' Norfolk State coach Mike Bernard said. ``I thought we made the early stops, were good in the transitions and got easy hoops. Going up early really helped us be able to consistently apply pressure.''
Bryant opened his attack early, scoring 19 first-half points and adding eight rebounds.
``It was just one of those nights,'' he said. ``It was bound to happen, I've been having a hard time lately. It was one of those days when everything was falling for me.''
Norfolk State (17-3, 12-2 CIAA) has been hard on the Trojans this season, averaging wins of over 25 points. Therefore, Bryant aimed to strike early and then let bench players take the court.
``I really wanted to get a good start for the whole team,'' Bryant said. ``The bench players haven't been getting as much playing time. That's directly related to us.''
He achieved his goal. Every player on the roster saw playing time and 10 scored.
Rodney Carmichael posted 16 points with seven rebounds and Carnell Penn chipped in 16.
Virginia State (6-14, 1-11) turned the ball over 22 times, 14 in the first half. The Trojans shot 41.1 percent and seldom were able to get a second shot as the Spartans grabbed 30 defensive rebounds.
``I felt if we applied the pressure, we could get the easy baskets early,'' Bernard said. ``I thought that would be one of the big keys. We rebounded well in the first half.''
The Spartans grabbed 25 rebounds in each half. The physical matchup led to numerous fouls with 69 free throws taken in the game. Norfolk State cashed in, netting 25 of 31 to Virginia State's 18 of 38.
The Trojans were led by Douglas Hines and Reggie Frisby with 22 points each. Leerico Leach tallied 10. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
MARTIN SMITH-RODDEN/The Virginian-Pilot
Norfolk State guard Maurice Whitfield drives against Virginia
State's Reggie Frisby in what may be one of the last games in the
rivalry between the schools. When Norfolk State moves to Division I,
it may no longer schedule the Trojans.
by CNB