NORFOLK, Va. – The Norfolk State women's basketball defeated Radford 66-54 in the Spartans' home opener at Joseph Echols Hall on Friday night. Senior Rachel Gordon netted 16 points and 16 rebounds to lead all scorers.

Gordon shot 80.0 percent (8-of-10) on the night to help NSU seal the victory. NSU (1-1) had two other players finish with double-figures. Redshirt junior Rae Corbo posted 12 points and six assists. Junior Ebony Brown contributed 14 points and seven rebounds.

Radford (2-1) got on the board first with a jumper by Kermisha Clark with 19:32 remaining in the first half that sparked a 6-0 run for the Highlanders.

The Spartans finally scored as Gordon drained a jumper on the other end with 17:15 on the clock. Gordon's field goal sparked a 17-0 run for NSU to give them a 17-6 lead over Radford with 10:28 remaining before halftime.

The Highlanders clawed their way behind drives to the basket, which included a layup by Breshara Gordon to cap a 15-4 run to tie the game at 21. Gordon and Ayana Avery led Radford with 14 points each.

Freshman Kierra Basey scored her first points of the season on a jumper with 1:28 left in the first half to send the Spartans into halftime with a 29-25 lead over Radford.

NSU came out hot in the second half on an 8-4 run as freshman Logan Powell scored on a layup with an assist from junior Jazamine Gray to make the score 37-29 with 14:03 left in the game.

The Highlanders pulled within four points at 37-33 after another layup by Avery with 13:01 to go in the game. Radford tried to keep the game close, but the Spartans proved to be too much for Radford.

NSU's lead stretched to 51-37 on a 14- 4 run that ended with a 3-pointer from Corbo with 7:56 left in the game. Corbo was 2-of-6 from behind the arc on the night.

McIvor sparked Radford's final run of the night, which ended with a 3-pointer from Avery with 1:19 left. The Highlanders shot 21.4 percent (3-of-14) from 3-point range.

The Spartans shot 41.4 percent (24-of-58) from the field and 76.5 percent (13-of-17) from the free throw line.

NSU returns to the court on Wed., Nov. 20, against UNCG. Game time is set for 6 p.m.