Norfolk State 59, Bethune-Cookman 45
Norfolk State turned up its defense to win its second straight Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference home game Saturday night, holding Bethune-Cookman to 20 second half points in a 59-45 victory at Echols Hall in Norfolk, Va.
Riley Maye led Norfolk State (7-3, 2-0 in the MEAC) with 15 points, while Pendarvis Williams added 11. Brandon Goode and Malcolm Hawkins each scored 10 points while pulling in eight and seven rebounds, respectively.
The Spartans led, 27-25, at halftime, but began pulling away early in the second half as the Wildcats (2-9, 0-1) couldn't make a shot. Bethune-Cookman hit only 30.2 percent from the field (16-of-53), including 4-of-18 from 3-point range.
Pendarvis Williams made a layup with 17:01 remaining to put Norfolk State ahead for good at 32-30. Williams sank two foul shots at the 10:49 mark to give the Spartans their first double-digit lead at 44-33.
Malik Jackson scored a game-high 16 points and grabbed seven rebounds for the Wildcats, while Mikel Goode contributed 12 points.
Norfolk State is idle until Dec. 15, when it plays at Boston University at 1 p.m. Bethune-Cookman visits Hampton in a MEAC game on Monday night at 8.
