Box Score ORANGEBURG, SC—Redshirt senior Jordan Strode scored a game-high 18 points and grabbed six rebounds to lead Norfolk State to an, 68-53, victory over South Carolina State Saturday (Feb.3) at Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center.

Graduate guard Bryeasha Blair led the Lady Bulldogs with a team-high 15 points, while junior forward Jahmia Bradley added 13 points and seven rebounds in the loss.

"We had so many missed opportunities and we didn't take advantage of things when we had the ball, which gave them a lot of second chance points, "said head coach Doug Robertson, Jr.  "

Norfolk State jumped out to a 10-point lead, 20-10, off a three pointer by Kiara Phillips with 7:49 remaining in the second quarter. Blair's driving layup with 2:04 remaining before intermission gave the NSU's lead to seven, 29-22.

NSU made the most closing out the first half scoring five straight points off a layup by Kayla Roberts, followed by a three-pointer by Kieera Basey with 0:33 seconds remaining. Norfolk State closed out the first half with an 34-22 lead.

"Both teams had a lot of turnovers the difference is they converted off our turnovers and we didn't," said Robertson. "Moving forward we have to take care of the basketball and play better."

Between the two teams they combined for 40 turnovers, with SC State finishing with a game-high 21 on the day. NSU took full advantage converting on 18 points off turnovers, 14 second chance points and 30 points in the paint.

The second-half NSU built their largest margin of the day 16 points, 42-26, off a layup by Khaliah Ali at the 6:08 mark in the third quarter. Blair tossed in a three-pointer followed by a JaQuanna Murray layup cut the lead to 11, 45-34.

Freshman forward Alexis Scott's layup pulled SC State within nine, 51-42, midway through the fourth quarter, but Roberts rallied off six points down the stretch to secure the 68-53 victory for Norfolk State.

Murray provided a solid defensive effort on the day finishing with a game-high four blocks.

SC State falls to 5-15 overall, 2-7 in the MEAC, while Norfolk State improves to 12-9 overall, 7-2 in the league.

South Carolina State returns to action on Monday (Feb.6) when they host the visiting Lady Pirates of Hampton University. Tipoff is 5:30 p.m.

For more information on South Carolina State Athletics visit www.scsuathletics.com or call the Office of Athletic Media Relations at (803) 536-7060.