Dover, Del. (Jan. 16, 2021) --- Delaware State gave MEAC North preseason favorite Norfolk State a tough fight in an 87-76 win for the Spartans in Memorial Hall today.
Tyrese Jenkins led three double-figure scorers for Norfolk State with a game-high 21 points on six-for-eight shooting from the field, including five-of-six on three-pointers, and four free throws on four attempts.
Myles Carter (sr.) was the top scorer for Delaware State with a season-high 20 points, two shy of his career-best, also against Norfolk State during the 2019-20 season. Carter was five-for-nine from the field, including three three-pointers (2-3) and perfect shooting on eight free throws. He is now 17 for 18 at the line (.944) this season. 
Delaware State's Zach Kent (so.) tied his career-high with 15 points, highlighted by three three-pointers. Kent, who has reached double-figures in scoring in four of the last five games, also tallied 15 points vs. North Carolina Wilmington on Dec. 23. He also recorded a block in the game, his team best 12th of the season. 
Pinky Wiley (sr.) added 14 points for the Hornets. Wiley's performance was highlighted by a season-best four three-pointers (4-8), raising his streak to 19 games in a row with at least one triple. He also boosted his career total to 980 points at DSU.
The Hornets trailed 20-13 midway through the first half, but rallied to take an eight-point lead later in the half. Dominik Fragala capped off a 17-3 DSU run with a three-pointer to give the Hornets a 30-22 lead with 4:59 in the opening frame.  Delaware State drilled five three-pointers during the spurt, three by Wiley and two for Fragala.
Norfolk State answered by outscoring the Hornets 16-3 during the remainder of the half to hold a 38-33 lead at the break. 
The Spartans opened up a 42-33 lead early in the second half, but the Hornets clawed to within 46-43 on a jumper by Kent with 16:03 left to play.
Delaware State pulled to within two points, 61-59, on a three-pointer by Carter with 8:16 left. The Spartans answered with a 13-6 run over the three-and-a-half minutes to stretch their lead to 74-65.
The Hornets closed to within 76-71 after a basket by Wiley with 3:36 left, but could get no closer the rest of the way.
Delaware State shot a season-best 45.5% for the game, hitting on 25 of their 55 shots from the floor, including 12 of 29 on three-point shots, one less than the season high 13 vs. Coppin State in its previous outing (Jan. 5).
Norfolk State shot 56.6 percent from the floor (30-53), including 56.5% from beyond the arc (13-23).
The Spartans improved to 7-4 overall and 2-1 in the MEAC, while the Hornets fell to 0-8 and 0-3.  
The Hornets will look to avenge the loss when the teams meet again on Sunday, also in Memorial Hall, at 5:00 p.m.