Game Notes

NORFOLK, Va. - After having its longest winning streak in 17 years snapped on Tuesday, the Spartans (15-6, 7-0 MEAC) look to get back on track and remain unbeaten in the MEAC when they host preseason conference favorite Morgan State (5-12, 3-3) on Saturday. Tip-off is 6 p.m. at Echols Hall.

The game has also been designated Youth Day. All children 17 and under with a paying adult will be admitted free. Groups can bring have 10 children admitted free for each adult chaperone.

NSU lost a 75-69 non-conference decision to Morehead State on Tuesday despite having four players in in double figures. Chris McEachin led the way with 19 points. Morgan State has won two of three after a 71-64 win over North Carolina Central on Monday.

MEDIA COVERAGE
Radio: WNSB 91.1 FM (Play-by-Play: Ross Gordon; Color: Joe Cook)
Live Audio: www.nsuspartans.com (Click “Live Audio” link under Inside Athletics tab)
Live Stats: www.sidearmstats.com/nsu/mbball
Live Video: www.nsuspartans.com/showcase

SERIES NOTES
The Spartans lead the series with Morgan State, 29-11. That includes a 90-89 win on Jan. 14
where the Spartans rallied from a 17-point second-half deficit to win their third straight against the Bears. It also marked the third overtime game in the last five meetings between the teams. Each of the last five meetings between the teams has been decided by six points or less.

RECAPPING MOREHEAD
Additional notes from NSU's loss to Morehead State on Tuesday:
• Pendarvis Williams set new career highs with seven assists and four steals.
• NSU had its streak of holding opponents under 50 percent shooting snapped at 19 games as Morehead shot 54 percent, best against NSU this season. Marquette shot 53 percent in a season-opening win over the Spartans.
• NSU shot 48 percent (11-of-23) from the foul line, its third-worst night of the year and worst since a 27 percent night (3-of-11) in the win over Randolph on Nov. 16.
• The Spartans hit 10 3-pointers, their second-most since hitting 11 in the season-opener at Marquette. Chris McEachin made five of those, his second straight game hitting a quintet of triples and fourth time doing so this season.

QUICK START
The Spartans' 15-6 start to the season is their best in the program's Division I history. More on the team's fast start:
• The Spartans' recently-snapped eight-game winning streak was their longest since the 1994-95 team won 14 in a row during its Division II Final Four season.
• NSU's 7-0 MEAC start is its best-ever, topping the 2002-03 team that began 5-0.
• The Spartans already have Division I wins over teams from six other conferences: CAA (Drexel), Mountain West (TCU), Mid-American (Toledo), Ohio Valley (Eastern Kentucky) and Patriot (Navy). NSU had never beaten teams from either the MAC, Patriot or Mountain West conferences prior to this season.
• NSU surpassed last year's win total (12) with its 13th win, on Jan. 14 at Morgan State.
• NSU's next win will equal its most in a season since moving to Division I in 1997-98. The 2007-08 team, Anthony Evans' first as head coach, went 16-15.

JOHNSON FINDS HIS NICHE
Marist transfer forward Rob Johnson has gradually become more comfortable since becoming eligible on Dec. 14, and has now scored in double figures in back-to-back games for the first time as a Spartan. He set new career highs - including his time at Marist - with 19 points and 15 boards at Hampton, then scored 12 points Tuesday against Morehead State.

O'QUINN IN THE NATIONAL RANKINGS
Kyle O'Quinn ranks highly in the latest NCAA statistics report, released on Jan. 27 (stats and rankings through games of Jan. 26):
Name Category Rank - Stat
Double-Doubles: T-6th - 13
Blocked Shots: 15th - 2.8
FG%: 18th - 58.4
Rebounding: 22nd - 10.2