NORFOLK, Va. -- A late fourth quarter run by La Salle was just enough to push by the Spartans 55-52 on Friday night in Echols Hall.

The Spartans (2-3) started the fourth quarter with a 14-5 run to open up a 52-44 lead with 4:35 left after a three-pointer from Chanette Hicks. That was NSU's largest lead of the game, but from that point the Explorers (4-1) answered with an 11-0 run to close out the game and earn the 55-52 victory.

The Spartans had three more chances after La Salle took their first lead since early in the fourth quarter. With the Explorers up 53-52, La'Deja James missed a three-pointer that would have put the Spartans up by two. NSU immediately fouled, and La Salle converted on the next two free-throws from Deja King.  This time James had a chance to tie the game, but missed on another three-pointer. Following a NSU offensive rebound on James' shot, Hicks had one more chance to tie the game that didn't go down for the Spartans.

Hicks led all Spartans in scoring with 22 points, while adding four rebounds and six steals. La'Deja James added eight points and six rebounds, followed by De'Janaire Deas with seven points and five rebounds.

The first quarter set the tone, as both teams went back and forth like a heavyweight boxing match. The score was tied three times in the first, with La Salle heading into the second with a 14-13 advantage after a pair of free throws from Kayla Spruill in the last seconds of the first quarter.

The Spartans were able to get a little breathing room in the second quarter, using a 7-0 run to build a 20-14 lead with 6:57 left in the half.  The Spartans had 11 points off turnovers, with six steals off the Explorers. La Salle was able to chip away at the lead in the last four minutes of the half, down 27-24 at halftime.

La Salle used an 11-2 run to open up a 35-29 lead with 5:12 left in the third quarter, after a made three-pointer by Kate Hill. The Explorers outscored the Spartans 15-11 in the third, heading into the final quarter with a 39-38 lead after a jumper by Hicks.

The Spartans forced 32 turnovers for La Salle, with 16 coming off steals. The difference in the game was La Salle's 31.9% shooting from the floor, compared to NSU's 27.3%. The Explorers also shot better from behind the arc, going 7-of-21 (33%) compared to NSU's 4-of-21 (19%). La Salle controlled the glass as well, with a +10 rebounding differential (46-36).

The Spartans don't play again until next weekend, when they travel to Jacksonville, Florida for the JU Thanksgiving Classic hosted by Jacksonville University. ​