Box Score NORFOLK, Va. – Sophomore Jordan Butler posted career highs of 19 points, 14 rebounds and six blocks to lead the Norfolk State men's basketball team to a 78-58 victory over Washington Adventist on Tuesday evening at Joseph Echols Hall.
 
Butler hit 6-of-11 from the floor and all seven of his free throw attempts for the most productive outing of his career. He gave NSU its first win of the season after the Spartans opened up the year at South Carolina on Saturday.
 
Senior Jeff Short added 20 points on 7-of-16 shooting for NSU, which hit just 26-of-66 (39.4 percent) for the game in the first of two home games in November and December.
 
NSU got off to a slow start against Washington Adventist (3-3). The Shock's zone defense held the Spartans at bay for the first few minutes, but NSU got going thanks in part to its transition game. Tied at 5-5, NSU went on an 18-2 run over the next six minutes to open up a 23-7 lead at the 8:29 mark. Eight of those points came via the fastbreak, as the Spartans outscored the Shock 15-8 for the game.
 
Washington Adventist fell behind by 17, 27-10, on another fastbreak layup by Short before the Shock began to connect from long range. They made three 3-pointers within a two-minute span and eventually cut the deficit to nine, 27-18, after a layup by Martin Wilson. NSU went into the half up 35-24.
 
The Spartans then scored the first nine points of the second half and were never threatened again. Ashton Woodson's layup at 7:23 made it 60-47, and the 13-point margin was as close as the Shock would get. Butler's 3-point play with 1:12 to go gave the Spartans their largest lead of the game at 23 points, 78-55.
 
Butler tallied 11 points, eight rebounds and five blocks in the second half alone.
 
Despite having just two less giveaways, NSU outscored the Shock 25-13 in points off turnovers.
 
Senior Charles Oliver added 11 points off the bench on 4-of-6 shooting, including 3-of-5 from 3-point range. Senior D'Shon Taylor posted 10 points and seven boards as well for the Spartans. He made all six of his free throw attempts to help NSU finish 20-of-27 for the contest.
 
Brian Bridgeforth contributed 14 points and 13 rebounds to lead Washington Adventist. The Shock shot 21-of-65 overall (32.3 percent) and 4-of-18 from 3-point range.
 
NSU will compete in the 2015 Paradise Jam beginning on Friday. The Spartans will face Indiana State at 8:30 p.m. EST from St. Thomas, Virgin Islands.