BROOKLYN HEIGHTS, New York -- The Norfolk State Spartans used a 19-0 run in the opening half and went on to defeat the host St. Francis (NY) Terriers, 84-74, Friday afternoon at the Pope Physical Education Center. The Spartans, who shot a blazing 55.1 percent (27-of-49) for the contest, improved to 9-5 and the Terriers dropped to 3-8.Senior forward Stefan Perunicic (four steals) paced the Terriers with a season-high 21 points on 7-of-15 shooting and junior forward Travis Nichols added 14 points and a team-high seven rebounds. Senior point guard Justin Newton added seven assists and six rebounds.
A layup by Perunicic gave St. Francis an early, 8-5 advantage, with 16:56 remaining in the opening half, but Norfolk State scored the next 19 points to establish a 24-8 lead at the 12:33 mark. The Spartans connected on four three-point field goals during the run, three of which came by sophomore guard Pendarvis Williams (game-high 24 points). Williams also added a tip-in to cap the run.
The Terriers managed to close within seven points, 36-29, with 1:50 left before halftime after a trifecta and a layup by sophomore guard Brent Jones. The Spartans settled for a 41-31 halftime advantage.
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The Terriers led 8-5 about three minutes in when Williams made the first of four consecutive 3-pointers in a two-minute span for NSU. Williams hit three of those, sparking a 19-0 Spartans run.
"Got off to a hot start," said Williams, who finished with 8-for-11 shooting from the field and was 3 for 5 from the 3-point line. He made 5 of 7 free throws, all in the second half.
With 14 seconds before halftime, Williams jabbed the ball from St. Francis guard Brent Jones. McEachin sprinted to the other end, where Williams hit him for a layup. Jones' foul gave McEachin a three-point play and the Spartans a 41-31 halftime lead.
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