Dover, Del (Feb. 20, 2016) --- Delaware State overcame an early hole with strong second half play to defeat Norfolk State 67-64 in a tense MEAC men's basketball contest in Memorial Hall today.

The Hornets have won three in a row for the first this season to improve to 7-20 overall and 5-7 in the MEAC. The loss snapped a three-game win streak for the Spartans, who entered the game in second place in the MEAC standings. NSU fell to 13-14 and 9-3.

Delaware State trailed by as many as 16 points in the first half, and was down 38-26 at the break. The Hornets shot nearly 54% from the field in the second half en route to a 41-26 advantage over the Spartans in the final 20 minutes.

After failing to connect on six three-point shots in the first half, the Hornets were seven-for-13 from beyond the arc after the break.

Kavon Waller came off the bench to lead DSU with a game-high 18 points, tying the second-best scoring output of his career. Waller was six-for-nine from the field, including two-of-four on three-pointers.
In the last four games, he has connected on 18-of-27 total shots (67%) and nine-of-13 from beyond the arc (69%).

DeAndre Haywood added 15 points in a reserve role, highlighted by six-of-10 shooting from the field, while Devin Morgan contributed 12 points and a team-high four assists to the win.

Aric Dickerson came off the bench to score nine points for the Hornets, hitting each of his shots, all from three-point territory.  

Delaware State outscored the Spartans 15-3 to start the second half, and tied the game at 41-41 on a three-point shot by Waller with 14:38 left to play.

After a free throw gave the Spartans a one-point lead (42-41), the Hornets scored the next six points to open up a 48-42 advantage.  Waller nailed his second three-pointer of the game and Haywood capped off the rally with a lay-up at the 11:44 mark of the second half.

DSU held its biggest lead, 56-47, on a jumper by Morgan with 6:29 left to play.

Norfolk State answered with an 8-1 run, and pulled to within 57-55 on a free throw by Jordan Butler with 4:36 remaining.

After the Hornets stretched their lead to 62-57, NSU's Jeff Short hit a three-pointer and Butler nailed two free throws with 23 seconds left to tie the game.

On the ensuing possession, Delaware State passed the ball around the perimeter before Morgan nailed a three-pointer from the left wing to give the Hornets a 65-62 lead with five seconds left.      

Norfolk State hurried the ball up the court, and D'Shon Taylor hit a jumper with 0.2 seconds left. An officials' review determined that the shot was a two-pointer, preserving the lead for DSU, 65-64.

After a technical foul on Norfolk State's bench and a brief scuffle on the court, Morgan hit two free throws for the Hornets to close out the scoring.

Short and Taylor were high scorers for Norfolk State with 15 points each, while Butler added 14 points and led all players with eight rebounds and six blocks.

The Hornets forced Norfolk State into five-of-21 shooting (one-for-11 on three-pointers) in the second half.

Delaware State returns to action on Monday (Feb. 22) when defending MEAC champ and current leader Hampton visits Memorial Hall. Game time is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., following the DSU/Hampton women's contest.   

STINGERS
The Hornets are 6-5 at home, including 4-2 vs. MEAC opponents, this season … DSU snapped a four-game losing streak to Norfolk State …  Dickerson has hit 16 of his last 27 three-point attempts (59%) … Morgan extended his streak with at least one three-pointer to 23 games.