Box Score
BUIES CREEK, N.C. — Jonathan Rodriguez posted game highs of 29 points and 11 rebounds to help Campbell send Norfolk State to its third straight loss, 69-64 on Tuesday night at Carter Gym.
Rodriguez was 9-of-14 from the floor and 11-of-14 from the free throw line for the Camels (4-6), who trailed most of the second half only to rally in the final minutes.
Tony Murphy (Paterson, N.J.) had 18 points on 6-of-22 shooting to pace the Spartans (2-7). Murphy was 4-of-12 from 3-point range, passing Carnell Penn's school records for 3-pointers made and attempted in a career. Murphy is now 209-for-576 in his career.
NSU used its pressure defense to force 12 first-half Campbell turnovers, leading to 15 Spartan points. But Rodriguez, a slender forward with a solid all-around game, made 7-of-8 from the foul line in the opening half. NSU needed a Jeremy Banks (Elizabeth City, N.C.) jumper to tie the game at 29-all going into the half.
The Spartans' quickness continued to cause problems for Campbell. NSU went on an 11-2 run early in the second half, capped by a Michael Deloach (Rocky Mount, N.C.) basket to claim a 43-34 lead, the largest for either team, with 15:46 left in the game.
As he did all game, Rodriguez kept the Camels close. He scored nine straight Campbell points during one stretch of the second half, capping his own spurt with a pair of free throws to tie the game at 53-all with 6:02 remaining.
Reggie Bishop gave Campbell its first lead in 15 minutes of game action at 58-56 on a 3-pointer with 3:41 left. The Spartans tied the game on a long jumper by Rashid Cann (Greensboro, N.C.) at the other end, but Bishop hit another triple to give the Camels the lead for good.
Kyle Vejraska (16 points) sealed the game with a pair of free throws with seven seconds left, providing the final margin of 69-64.
Campbell was 22-of-25 (88 percent) from the free throw line, while NSU was just 4-of-6. The Spartans were called for 20 fouls compared to Campbell's eight.
Murphy was the only NSU player in double figures, but several Spartans had solid efforts. In his first career start, Kevin Worsley (Chesapeake, Va.) had eight points, 10 rebounds and a career-high four steals. Brandon Monroe (Raeford, N.C.) had a career-high seven points and pulled down seven boards, one off his career best. Larry Vickers (Virginia Beach, Va.) added seven points, eight rebounds and two blocked shots.
Deloach, who scored eight points, dished out a team-high five assists and also had three steals. NSU tallied a season-high 15 steals and forced 23 Campbell turnovers.
The Spartans look to get back on track on Saturday at Evansville. Tip-off time is 3 p.m. EST.
