Box Score

BROOKLYN, N.Y. — Jamal Olasewere scored a game-high 17 points to lead four Long Island players in double figures as the host Blackbirds beat Norfolk State 87-64 in the season-opener for both teams on Friday night at the Wellness, Recreation and Athletic Center.

Julian Boyd, Kyle Johnson and Robinson Odoch Opong added 10 points apiece for LIU, which shot 54 percent from the floor while holding the Spartans to 35 percent.

Rob Hampton (Queens, N.Y.) led NSU with 14 points but shot just 6-of-21. Freshman Pendarvis Williams (Philadelphia, Pa.) added 13 points  in his collegiate debut.

The Blackbirds broke open a close game with a 10-0 run midway through the first half. Olasewere and C.J. Garner scored four apiece in the run, which gave LIU a 28-15 lead. The Blackbird carried a 43-29 edge into the half.

LIU maintained a lead of at least 13 for the entire second half, and led by as many as 31.

The Blackbirds outscored NSU 22-4 from the free-throw line. LIU attempted 36 total free throws to NSU's nine. The Spartans did not get to the charity stripe in the first half.

Kyle O'Quinn (Jamaica, N.Y.) added 12 points and six rebounds for NSU. Guard Aleek Pauline (Far Rockaway, N.Y.) had 10 points and team highs of seven rebounds and seven assists. Williams added five boards as NSU outrebounded LIU 50-43.

NSU is off until Tuesday, when the Spartans play their home opener against Jacksonville State. Tip-off is at 7 p.m. at Echols Hall.