Game Notes

NORFOLK, Va. - The Norfolk State men's basketball team (9-5) plays its first game of the 2012 calendar year this Sunday when it travels to Annapolis, Md., for its first-ever matchup with Navy (3-10). Tip-off is at 4 p.m. at Alumni Hall.

The Spartans have won two in a row, both on the road, after an 84-74 win at St. Francis (N.Y.) on Dec. 23. Three Spartans topped the 20-point mark in that one as Pendarvis Williams had a career-high 24 points, Kyle O'Quinn posted 21 points and 11 rebounds, and Chris McEachin added a career-high 20 points. NSU will be looking Sunday for its first 10-5 start since 1996-97, when the Spartans began 13-5 in their final season of play in the Division II CIAA.

Navy dropped its sixth straight game on Friday, a 65-56 home loss to Mercer. Jordan Sugars led the Midshipmen with 21 points. J.J. Avila paces Navy with 15.2 points per game, while Sugars is second at 10.3.

MEDIA COVERAGE
Live Statistics/Video: www.navysports.com

SERIES NOTES
This is the first meeting all-time between the two schools.

RECAPPING ST. FRANCIS
Additional notes from NSU's win over St. Francis (N.Y.) on Dec. 23:
• Kyle O'Quinn moved into 23rd place in school history in scoring and 10th in rebounding with his 21-point, 11-rebound day (more on page 3).
• NSU had three players top the 20-point mark for the first time this season. Pendarvis Williams (24) and Chris McEachin (20) both notched career highs in scoring, while O'Quinn added 21 points and 11 rebounds for his ninth double-double of the year.
• The Spartans tallied season highs in scoring (84) and free throws made (24) while shooting over 50 percent for the second straight game (55.1) for the first time this season.
• NSU reached double figures in steals (10) for the fourth time this year.
• O'Quinn made a career-high 11 free throws, going 11-for-12. The 11 made free throws are tied for the most by a MEAC player this year.
• Jamel Fuentes grabbed a career-high seven rebounds, second-most on the team behind O'Quinn.

WILLIAMS, O'QUINN EARN WEEKLY MEAC HONORS
Sophomore guard Pendarvis Williams was named MEAC Player of the Week for Dec. 26 after averaging 20.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists in wins over Toledo and St. Francis. Williams shot 65 percent in the two games. Williams had 17 points and assisted on Kyle O'Quinn's game-winning layup with 2.4 seconds left in the 72-70 win at Toledo. Williams followed that up with a career-high 24 points on 8-of-11 shooting at St. Francis. This marks Williams' first time being named MEAC Player of the Week in his career. He was named Rookie of the Week once last season.

Kyle O'Quinn averaged 10 rebounds and 2.5 blocked shots to earn his second Defensive Player of the Week honor this year. O'Quinn blocked five shots in the win over Toledo and added two steals against St. Francis. He averaged 8.0 defensive rebounds per game and also scored 18.5 points in the two victories.