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Men's Basketball Matt Michalec, SID

Murphy Nets 26 as Spartans Win 3rd Straight, 77-66, Over FAMU

Murphy Adds 9 Boards as Spartans Cruise

Murphy Tallied 26 Points, 9 Rebounds to Lead NSU to First 8-2 MEAC Start

Box Score

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Senior Tony Murphy (Paterson, N.J.) poured in a game-high 26 points, 22 in a torrid-shooting first half, and Norfolk State never trailed in winning its third straight game and sixth of seven, 77-66 over Florida A&M on Monday night at Gaither Gymnasium.

The win gives NSU (12-10, 8-2 MEAC) its best-ever start in MEAC play after 10 games.

Murphy was 10-of-22 from the floor, 4-of-9 from 3-point range, and also had a team-high nine rebounds for the Spartans. Murphy was 10-of-22 from the floor, 4-of-9 from 3-point range, and also had a team-high nine rebounds for the Spartans (12-10, 8-2 MEAC). He also passed Barry Mitchell for 12th place on the all-time NSU scoring list, and now has 1,639 points in his career.

Sophomore Brandon Monroe (Raeford, N.C.) added a career-high 14 points and grabbed seven rebounds, and Michael Deloach (Rocky Mount, N.C.) had 13 points, five rebounds, five assists and three steals.

There were two ties early in the game, at 2-2 and 4-4, but Murphy quickly helped NSU distance itself from the Rattlers (8-15, 4-6). He was 8-of-15 from the floor, 4-of-7 from 3-point range, in the opening 20 minutes. The Spartans led by as many as 14 points in the opening half and took a 45-35 edge into halftime.

Leslie Robinson hit a 3-pointer and Akini Akini scored inside to bring FAMU within 45-40 a minute into the second half. But Monroe scored six straight Spartan points to quickly push the lead back into double digits, and the Spartans led by at least six the rest of the way. NSU held FAMU to 33 percent shooting in the second half.

The Spartans outrebounded the Rattlers 51-33 and scored 23 second-chance points to FAMU's four. Murphy's nine boards are a season high, while Joseph Dorsett-Jeffreys (Bronx, N.Y.) and Chidi Okoli (Snellville, Ga.) combined for 11 off the NSU bench.

Robinson had 21 points to lead the Rattlers. Akini added 12 points and 10 rebounds.

NSU returns home for its final two contests at Echols Hall this season. The Spartans host Delaware State on Saturday at 6 p.m. before wrapping up their home schedule next Monday at 8 p.m. against Maryland Eastern Shore.

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