Norfolk State 55, North Carolina A&T 48
Rob Johnson led the way with 18 points in his final game at Echols Hall, and Norfolk State completed the first undefeated run through the MEAC in 19 years with a 55-48 win over North Carolina A&T on Thursday.
The Spartans (21-10, 16-0 MEAC) won their 16th consecutive game and became the first MEAC team to complete the conference season with an unblemished record since Coppin State in 1993-94.
Norfolk State is just the fourth team to get through the entire MEAC schedule unscathed. The top-seeded team in the MEAC tourney, Norfolk State also wrapped up a perfect record in home games, something the Spartans hadn't done in 42 years.
Norfolk State honored Johnson and the other three seniors before the game, but the team started slow. The Spartans made 9 of 22 shots in the first half and were clinging to a 24-21 lead at the break. NSU didn't gain some distance on the Aggies until midway through the second period. That's when the Spartans embarked on a 9-0 run to build a 50-35 lead and gain some separation from A&T.
Pendarvis Williams added 16 points for the Spartans, reaching double digits for the 17th time in 18 games.
Bruce Beckford scored 16 points and Jean Louisme had 13 for the Aggies (15-16, 8-8), who shot 31.6 percent and committed 19 turnovers.
