BALTIMORE, Md. - The Norfolk State women's basketball team opened up a 16-4 lead after one quarter and never looked back en route to a 56-47 victory over Morgan State in the conference opener for both teams on Wednesday evening at Hill Field House.

Senior Dominique Harper and junior Kayla Roberts tallied 12 points each to lead the Spartans (6-7, 1-0 MEAC). Seniors Khalilah Ali and Jordan Strode also recorded double-digit scoring games, posting 10 points each.

Harper registered her fifth consecutive double-figure scoring game and threatened to record her first career triple-double as she finished with seven rebounds and six assists. Roberts added 10 rebounds in notching her team-high sixth double-double of the season. Strode dished out four assists, while Ali swatted away a game-high four shots.

The two teams came into the game ranked number one and two in the conference in scoring defense, so it was no surprise that they played a low-scoring affair. Norfolk State led the conference at 57.9 points allowed per game coming in, and Morgan State was second at 59.5 points allowed per game.

Norfolk State held Morgan State to just one field goal and four points in the first quarter. The Bears (2-12, 0-1) shot 4-of-32 (12.5 percent), including 1-of-7 (14.3 percent) from behind the 3-point line in the first half. Meanwhile, Norfolk State went 11-of-26 (42.3 percent), including 2-of-8 (25 percent) from deep. MSU was able to staying within striking distance by getting to the free-throw line. The Bears made 7-of-14 from the line in the half, while the Spartans went to the line just seven times and led 28-16 at the break.

Norfolk State maintained its lead in the second half, never allowing Morgan State to get closer than seven. The Spartans extended their lead to 16 points with 6:37 left in the third quarter when Roberts made a layup after a beautiful assist from Harper.

Heading to the fourth, Norfolk State led by 11 and never allowed the Bears to go on a run. Morgan State was only able to cut the lead to seven points which it did four times in the quarter, including with 36 seconds left in the game when Ivy Harrington made a layup. Leading 52-45, Roberts made four consecutive free throws on NSU's last two possessions to seal the victory. 

"We are extremely excited to get out of Morgan with a win," Norfolk State head coach Larry Vickers said. "They play harder than any other team we have played this season and now we understand the level we have to play at to consistently win conference games."

Morgan State outrebounded Norfolk State 53-41. Each team forced 21 turnovers, with the Bears notching 13 steals and NSU finishing with eight. Norfolk State blocked 10 shots, while Morgan State blocked just two.

NSU shot 20-of-50 (40 percent) from the floor, including 2-of-11 (18.2 percent) from deep, while MSU was 16-of-70 (22.9 percent) from the floor and just 1-of-14 (7.1 percent) from behind the arc.

"Defensively we came to play today," Vickers said. "We have to limit turnovers and make free throws to make the games easier."

Norfolk State will be home for the next three conference games, beginning with a matchup with Savannah State on Saturday. Game time is at 4 p.m. at Echols Hall.