Box Score
BALTIMORE, Md. – Kyle O'Quinn scored a game-high 24 points to lead four Spartans in double figures, and Norfolk State extended its winning streak to four games with a 76-74 win over two-time defending MEAC champion Morgan State on Saturday at Hill Field House.
Rob Hampton added 19 points, Pendarvis Williams had 15 and Aleek Pauline 11 for NSU (6-13, 4-3 MEAC), which broke a four-game losing streak against the Bears (9-9, 5-2) and improved to 3-0 in ESPNU-televised games this year.
O'Quinn was limited to 11 first-half minutes after picking up his second foul at the 10:27 mark of the half. But he scored 15 second-half points and Hampton 16 of his 19 after the break to help the Spartans escape with their first win at MSU in five years.
NSU led 29-27 at the half after holding the Bears to just five made field goals and 33 percent shooting in the half. MSU was able to stay in it by attempting 22 free throws in the game's opening half, making 15 of them. The Spartans, by contrast, were just 3-of-5 from the line in the first 20 minutes. Williams scored eight points before halftime to give the Spartans a boost.
Morgan State scored the first four points of the second half as Kevin Thompson scored inside and DeWayne Jackson hit two free throws to give MSU a 31-29 edge. But NSU went on a 14-5 run to take a 43-36 lead. Hampton had six points in the run and capped it with two free throws with 13:44 remaining.
The Bears not able to get closer than two, on two occasions. After Aric Brooks cut the NSU lead to 70-68, Hampton drove for a field goal which pushed the lead back to four with 59 seconds left. Brooks' two free throws with 0.2 seconds left provided the final margin, but NSU was able to inbound the ball and kill the clock. The Spartans kept the Bears at bay by shooting 68 percent from the floor (15-of-22) and 77 from the line (17-of-22) in the second half.
For the game, the Spartans shot 80 percent from the foul line (20-of-25) and 54 percent from the floor (26-of-48). O'Quinn was 7-of-10 from the floor, 9-of-9 from the charity stripe, and made his only 3-point attempt. He also led the Spartans with eight rebounds and three blocked shots. Pauline was 4-of-5 from the floor and had a team-high five assists. Williams was 6-of-9 from the floor, finishing one point shy of his career high.
Jackson had 19 points to lead Morgan State. Brooks had 16, Thompson 13 and Larry Bastfield 10.
The Spartans look to extend their win streak to five on Monday night when they play at Coppin State. Tip-off is at 7:30 p.m.
