January 2, 2011

NORFOLK, Va.- Savannah State out-scored Norfolk State 41-29 in the second half but fell short in a 67-66 lost to the Spartans in a game played at Echols Hall.

SSU battled back from a 17 point deficit and got within two points with eight seconds left after a 3-pointer by Ezzine Kalu.

Whitney Long, who finished with 22 points, made two free throws for the Spartans (6-4) to up their lead to 67-63 before Kalu made another 3-pointer at the buzzer.

The loss gives Savannah State a 7-8 record.

After almost five minutes of play NSU held a 10-8 lead but then went on a 20-9 run to go ahead 30-17 with 5:15 left.

SSU cut Norfolk's leads to 32-25 but the Spartans ended the half with six unanswered points and took a 38-25 lead into intermission.

NSU had 17 bench points in the opening half while Savannah State had none.

The Lady Tigers could only get as close as 12 points early in the second half before NSU had their largest lead of the evening at 47-30 with 14:50 remaining.

SSU chipped away at the Spartans lead and cut it to 10 points with 3:05 left and to single digits at the 1:55 mark mark when Fila Smith made a layup.

Darice Fountaine had 20 points and 13 rebounds for SSU. Kalu added 19 points, 5 assists and 4 steals.

Norfolk State shot 60.9 percent from the field in the first half and 50 percent for the game. The Spartans also shot 50 percent from 3-point range and made 21 of 26 free throw attempts.

Savannah State out-rebounded NSU 37 to 30.