Box Score NORFOLK, Va.- Delaware State trailed by one at intermission but started the second half with a 19-6 run to grab a 12-point lead as the Hornets defeated Savannah State 64-58 in the opening round of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Tournament.
 
SSU led by as many as eight points in the first half but Delaware State closed the final five minutes of the first period with a 10-3 run.
 
Savannah State led 26-25 at the break.
 
Hikeem Champaigne's layup to open the second period gave SSU a 28-25 edge but the Hornets answered with 11 unanswered points for a 36-28 advantage.
 
A 3-pointer by Aric Dickerson with 13:34 left extended the DSU lead to 44-32.
 
The Tigers trailed by nine with 6:15 remaining but chipped away at their deficit with a 12-4 spurt to get within 57-56 with 44 seconds left.
 
After trading baskets, DSU finished the contest making five of six free throw attempts while holding Savannah State scoreless.
 
Alante Fenner led SSU (9-22) with 15 points while Demarcus Bryant chipped in 11 points and Brian Pearson grabbed 10 rebounds.
 
SSU shot 40.6 percent from the floor and out-rebounded the Hornets 37 to 30.
 
The Tigers did not attempt a free throw.
 
After the opening seven minutes of action, Delaware State led 11-8 but 11 unanswered points by the Tigers gave SSU a 19-11 lead at the 7:52 mark.
 
The Tigers led 23-15 with just over five minutes remaining before DSU went ahead with a 9-0 run.
 
Amere May, one of three Hornets (16-16) in double figures, had 26 points while Kendall Gray had 12 rebounds.
 
DSU shot 52.2 percent from the field and made 11 of 20 free throw attempts.