NORFOLK, VA—Senior forward/center Jason Johnson tossed in 19 points and grabbed 13 rebounds, junior guard Jason Flagler chipped in 14 as South Carolina State (13-12 overall, 8-5 MEAC) defeated Norfolk State( 8-16 overall, 6-7 MEAC) 76-66 in Mid-Eastern Athletic action at Echols Hall in Norfolk, Va.
Leading the way for Norfolk State was All-MEAC guard Michael Deloach with 26 points and six rebounds, while Joe Jeffreys-Dorsett added 13 points and 10 rebounds in the loss.
Norfolk State jumped out to its biggest lead of the half nine, 11-2 on a layup by Joe Jeffreys-Doresett at the 16:32 mark. Jason Flagler hit jumper with 3:14 left in the half to put SC State ahead 25-24. Norfolk State regained the lead on a dunk by Corey Lyons with 0:29 seconds left to close out the half with a three point lead, 33-29.
The second-half proved to be the turning point for the Bulldogs when Jason Johnson hit a layup with 8:10 left to moved ahead by eight, 51-43. Senior Jessie Burton nailed a pair of free throws to give SC State its biggest lead of the night 13, 60-47 with 5:35 left in the game.
A layup by senior Michael Deloach pulled the Spartans within six, 60-54 with 3:16 left. Free-throws seemed to be the deciding factor as the Bulldogs hit 28 of 31 from the line to cruise to a 76-66 victory.
On the women's side senior Marie Reid chipped in 12 points and junior Sophilia Hipps added 11 but it wasn't enough as the Lady Bulldogs committed 36 turnovers in a 75-52 loss to the Lady Spartans of Norfolk State.
Norfolk State was led by sophomore guard Raychele Payne who posted a career-high 36 points in the victory. Junior guard Shontavious Wylie added 10 points and six rebounds in the loss for South Carolina State.
With the win Norfolk Stat breaks a 26-game losing streak and post their first win of the season to improve to 1-22 overall, 1-12 in the MEAC, while SC State drops to 5-19 overall, 2-11 in the league.
South Carolina State will return to action on Monday against MEAC rival North Carolina A&T in the pivotal matchup in Greensboro, NC. The women's contest begins at 6 p.m., following by the men with an 8 p.m. tip-off.
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