Tar Heels bounce Marquette from Madness

Published 11:06 pm Friday, March 25, 2011

Marquette freshman Davante Gardner, a former King’s Fork standout, goes to the basket against Providence in Marquette’s 87-66 win over the Friars in the first round of the Big East Tournament Tuesday in New York City.

No. 2 seed North Carolina beat No. 11 Marquette 81-63 in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament Thursday night in Newark, N.J.

The Tar Heels (29-7) built up a lead as large as 50-18 early in the second half. UNC advances to the East Region final and a match-up against the winner of Friday night’s Ohio State/Kentucky game.

Freshman forward Davante Gardner (King’s Fork) led Marquette (22-15) with 16 points on 6-for-9 field-goal shooting and 4-for-5 foul shooting. Gardner added six boards. It was Gardner’s second-highest scoring game this season.

James

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Marquette lost in the first round of the NCAA Tournament last season. This was the deepest postseason run for the Golden Eagles since the 2002-03 season when Dwyane Wade led Marquette to the Final Four.

Norfolk State sophomore John James (Nansemond River) won the high jump with a best mark of 6-feet-8.25 at the Tribe Open at William and Mary Saturday as the Spartan track team opened its outdoor season.

The Spartans are competing at the Raleigh Relays this weekend.

Holland

Norfolk State split a softball doubleheader versus visiting Hampton Thursday. NSU won game one 9-0 and HU won game two 5-4.

Junior Whitney Holland (King’s Fork) went 2-for-5 with two runs, four RBI and her first home run of the season in the doubleheader. Holland also went 12-for-12 on fielding chances at third base. Holland’s hitting .333 in six games for the Lady Spartans (5-12).

NSU hosts Savannah St. for a doubleheader Monday at 1 p.m.