Box Score
NORFOLK, Va. – Chris McEachin scored a season-high 18 points and Kyle O'Quinn recorded his seventh double-double of the season as host Norfolk State won for the third time in its last four games, 74-71, on Saturday evening at Echols Hall.
McEachin hit five 3-pointers, four coming in a torrid first-half long-range display for the Spartans (4-13). NSU hit seven of its eight 3-pointers in the first half.
NCCU (7-9) led 12-9 after a free throw by Dijon Manns with 13:31 left in the half. But NSU went on a 19-2 run that featured four treys, three by McEachin, to take a commanding 28-14 lead. O'Quinn capped the burst with a traditional three-point play, throwing down a two-handed dunk and making the ensuing free throw.
The Spartans would extend their lead to 17, 63-46, after two O'Quinn free throws with 7:33 left. But the Eagles held NSU to one field goal for the remainder of the game and slowly rallied behind their pressure defense and the scoring of guards C.J. Wilkerson (game-high 30 points) and Landon Clement (19). Clement's steal and layup cut NSU's lead to two, 68-66, with 3:10 remaining. Wilkerson then hit 1-of-2 from the line to close the gap to one, 68-67, with 1:46 left.
But the Spartans held the Eagles scored on their next two possessions, forcing a missed shot and a turnover. NSU then hit 3-of-6 from the line to extend its lead to 71-67.
The Eagles cut the lead in half on two Wilkerson free throws with 20 seconds left. Spartan guard Rob Hampton hit 1-of-2 with 13.9 seconds remaining to make it a three-point ballgame. Wilkerson missed everything on his 3-point attempt from the left corner, and NCCU had to settle for a Jonathan Nicely stick-back with 1.3 seconds left to again get within a single point, 72-71.
NSU freshman guard Pendarvis Williams hit two free throws to make it 74-71 with 0.7 seconds left, and Wilkerson missed a half-court heave at the buzzer as the Spartans escaped.
Hampton added 14 points, O'Quinn had 13, and Aleek Pauline 11 for NSU, which shot 47.7 percent from the floor. O'Quinn added 12 rebounds and a season-high-tying six blocks.
The Spartans continue their homestand on Monday when they host South Carolina State. The game tips off at 9 p.m. and will be televised live on ESPNU.
