NORFOLK, Va. (January 17, 2009) ? Delaware State committed 19 turnovers, resulting in 31 point for Norfolk State as the Hornets (3-15, 1-2 MEAC) fell to the Spartans (4-11, 2-2 MEAC), 72-61, on Saturday, Jan. 17 at Echols Hall. Norfolk State shot 56.3 percent for the game (9-of-15 from behind the arc) to hand DSU its first conference road loss of the season.
The Hornets finished the night, shooting 40 percent from the floor (22-of-55) and 3-of-11 from 3-point land. DSU was led by Marcus Neal, who tied his career-high in points (18) on 8-of-16 shooting. The Trenton, N.J., native also grabbed five rebounds in the contest. Senior Tramaine Johnson scored a season-high 11 points for Delaware State, shooting 3-of-5 from the floor and 5-of-6 from the free-throw line. Frisco Sandidge led all Hornets with seven rebounds. Delaware State out-rebounded the Spartans, 36-24, including 22 offensive rebounds. Freshman Jared Grady notched a career-high nine points and grabbed three assists in the contest.
NSU was led by Michael Deloach, who poured in 29 points on 11-of-16 shooting (5-of-7 from behind the 3-point line). The MEAC's Leading scorer, Deloach also registered five assists and three steals. Corey Lyons also finished in double-digits, scoring 19 points on 6-fo1-4 shooting. The Spartans distributed the ball well in the contest, registering assists on 19 of the team's 27 total field goals. Aleek Pauline registered a game-high eight assists in the contest, while forcing seven steals.
Norfolk State started the first half with a 11-4 run and a 5-3 run during the first seven minutes of action to take a 16-7 lead. During that stretch, Deloach and Lyons combined for 10 of the team's 16 total points. The Spartans maintained their lead throughout the first half, leading by as many as 12 points. Lyons led all NSU players with 12 points in the first half. Delaware State was paced by Neal, who posted 12 points during the first 20 minutes. Shooting 37.0 percent (10-of-27), DSU entered halftime, trailing 33-24.
After exchanging a pair of field goals to begin the second half, NSU went on an 11-0 run to take a 20-point lead (49-29 with 13:47 left in the game). Norfolk State took its largest lead of the contest (24 points) with 3-point basket by Deloach with 6:15 left in the contest. Delaware State chipped away at the NSU lead, going on a 12-0 run capped off by a dunk by Grady (2:57 on the clock). The run cut the Spartan's lead to 68-57. NSU was able to maintain its double-digit lead during the final two and a-half minutes of play to hand Delaware State its second conference loss of the season.
The loss marked the second-straight versus NSU for the Hornets and dropped DSU to 0-13 away from Memorial Hall this season.
Delaware State will travel to Greensboro, N.C., to face the North Carolina A&T Aggies on Sunday, Jan. 19. Tip off is slated for 7:30 p.m.
