GREENVILLE, N.C. –   Britny Edwards had 16 points and 14 rebounds to lead East Carolina over Norfolk State, 56-44, on Saturday afternoon at the ECU Pirate Invitational at Minges Coliseum.

The Pirates improved to 4-1 while the Spartans dropped to 1-3.

Quineshia Leonard scored the first four points for the Spartans in the first half to keep NSU within one as the Pirates led the Spartans, 7-6, with 16:57 to play before the break.

ECU's Arianna Jackson hit a jumper to spark a 10-0 run in the first half to lead NSU, 21-9 with 10:32 left before halftime.

Kashay Barnes hit a jumper with 9:07 on the clock to spark an 8-5 run for the Spartans.

NSU shot 32.1 (11-of-34) percent in the first half to stay within six at the half.  Barnes scored nine of her 11 points in the first half and hit a jumper with 1:00 left to bring NSU within six at the half as NSU trailed ECU, 26-20.

The Spartans came out hot in the second half with a pair of layups by Recca Trice and Barnes to cut the Pirates' lead to two with 19:00 left in regulation.

A layup by Shala Hodges capped a 10-2 run by the Pirates with 13:44 left in the second half as ECU led NSU, 36-26.

Ebony Brown hit a 3-pointer with 10:47 left to bring NSU within six as the Spartans trailed, 37-31.

NSU came within five with 28 seconds left to play with a jumper by Aivah Parham, but the Pirates were just too much for the Spartans.

NSU had three players in double-figures as Parham led the way with 12 points, followed by Barnes' 11, and Leonard's 10.

The Spartans return to action on Sunday when they take on Appalachian State at 2 p.m. at the ECU Pirate Invitational.