BOX SCORE
NORFOLK, VA-- Senior guard/forward Jason Flagler tossed in 16 points, while junior Darnell Porter chipped in 13 and grabbed seven rebounds but it wasn't enough as Norfolk State cruised to 82-62 victory over SC State Monday at Echols Hall.
Norfolk State improved to 9-17 overall, 7-6 MEAC, while SC State dropped to 14-12 overall, 8-6 in the league. The Spartans were led my All-MEAC guard Michael Deloach who poured in a game-high 31 points in the victory on Senior Night.
“Our guys were physically drained from being on the five-straight games in a two week period,” said SC State head coach Tim Carter. “We didn't play up to our potential and we got behind early and couldn't get back into the game.”
The Spartans jumped out to an 11 point lead, 21 -10 off a layup by Aleek Pauline at the 8:45 mark. Deloach nailed back-to-back 3-pointers, followed by a jumper by Joe Jeffries-Dorsett with 2:34 left in the first-half to pull ahead 17, 36-19.
SC State's Brandon Smalls drained a jumper followed by a free-throw to close out the half. Norfolk State led 36-22 at half-time.
Senior forward Arsenio Williams hit a lay up to pull the Bulldogs within striking distance nine, 57-48 with 7:02 left in the contest. Norfolk State's Rob Hampton sparked a 12-2 run to pull away and give the Spartans a 19 point advantage, 69-50 with 3:54 left in the game.
Tim Zephyr threw down a monster dunk with 2:39 left in the contest to give the Spartans their first 20 point lead, 73-53. A layup by Hampton with 0:059 seconds sealed the 82-62 victory for Norfolk State.
Also leading the way in scoring for Norfolk State was Rob Hampton with 19 points, while Joe Jeffries-Dorsett added 12 and Aleek Pauline chipped in 11 in the victory. SC State's Brandon Smalls scored 11 in the loss.
South Carolina State will return to action on Saturday in a doubleheader when they host Bethune-Cook man in a pivotal Mid-Eastern Athletic showdown. The women's game tip-off at 2 p.m., followed by the men's game at 4 p.m.
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