Virginia 66, Norfolk State 56
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- Virginia got 25 points from its bench, contributions that helped the Cavaliers hold off pesky Norfolk State for a 66-56 win Monday night at John Paul Jones Arena.
Guard Justin Anderson led the Cavaliers with 14 points and eight rebounds, while guard Joe Harris scored 12 points and pulled down seven rebounds.
The Cavaliers shot 45 percent for the game while outrebounding the Spartans 36-31. Norfolk State shot just 36.4 percent for the game.
Virginia endured a forgettable start to the second half. The Cavaliers coughed up the ball four times in the first five minutes, allowing Norfolk State (8-5) to tie the game at 32 after an early 6-0 run.
The Cavaliers (8-3) turned the ball over 12 times on the night.
The Spartans never lead in the game, however, as Virginia used a 20-5 run to retake control at 52-37 midway through the second half.
After Norfolk State got back to within 54-47 with 3:33 to play, guard Malcolm Brogdon knocked down a wide-open corner 3-pointer to extend Virginia's lead back to 10.
Norfolk State's leading scorer, guard Malcolm Hawkins, was held to 10 points, tying his lowest output of the season. Guard Pendarvis Williams led the Spartans with 12 points.
Virginia scored the first seven points of the game and held Norfolk State without a field goal through the opening five minutes. The Cavaliers' lead grew to 14-4 after a 3-pointer by forward Evan Nolte.
After the Spartans cut the lead to five, Virginia extended the margin to 22-12.
Two free throws by Williams got the Spartans to within 26-23 before Virginia took a 32-26 lead into the locker room.
The Cavaliers shot 50 percent in the half and were led by Anderson, who scored nine points. Norfolk State shot just 37.5 percent before the break, with Williams providing a team-high seven points.
NOTES: In the teams' previous meeting, Virginia beat Norfolk State 67-56 in Charlottesville last season during the first round of the NIT. ... Norfolk State G Malcolm Hawkins (10 points) continued his streak of scoring in double figures in every game this season. He has five games of 20 or more points. ... Virginia held five opponents under 50 points this season. ... The Cavaliers improved to 21-0 all-time against the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (3-0 vs. Norfolk State).
