clarinews@clarinet.com (01/12/90)
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (UPI) -- Purvis Short scored 29 points Thursday to lead the New Jersey Nets to their first three-game winning streak in three years with a 109-101 victory over the Charlotte Hornets. Short, making his second start of the year, hit on 13 of 24 shots as New Jersey handed the Hornets their third straight loss. Short was taking the place of the injured Dennis Hopson, who is out with a sprained ankle. Chris Morris added 22 points, Roy Hinson 19 and Joe Barry Carroll 18 off the bench for New Jersey. Charlotte, with six players in double figures, was paced by Kelly Tripucka with 22 points. Dell Curry added 21 points and Armon Gilliam 15. New Jersey, leading 26-24 at the end of one quarter, outscored Charlotte 37-26 in the second quarter to take a 63-50 lead. Carroll scored 12 points in the period. Charlotte cut the margin to 84-76 after three quarters. Gilliam scored eight points as the Hornets staged a 13-2 run during the last 3:52 of the period. The Hornets never closed within fewer than six points in the final quarter.