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NORFOLK, Va.-Norfolk State got 25 points from its reserves, including a game-high 16 from Michael DeLoach to wear down Howard University, 59-44 in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference men's game at Echols Hall.

The Spartans (10-10 overall, 6-2 in the MEAC) struggled early until DeLoach came off the bench to score eight points during a 21-8 run midway through the first half that provided the hosts with a 32-18 cushion at intermission.

The Bison (5-17 overall, 2-6 in the MEAC), who were playing without two key reserves, guards Jeron Smith (flu) and Kyle Riley (back injury), had problems scoring during several stretches, missing 18 of their first 25 field goal attempts.

Norfolk State was not exactly burning up the nets (36 percent shooting for the game), but its bench advantage helped create 19 turnovers that it turned into 22 points.  The Spartans got 18 of their points in transition and won the points-in-the-paint battle, 42-16.

Junior forward Randy Hampton had another fine outing, scoring a team-high 13 points, but no other Bison player scored in double figures.  Eugene Myatt, the team's leading scorer at almost 15 points per game, was held to 8 points on 4-of-14 shooting.  Paul Kirkpatrick contributed 9 and 6 rebounds and Kandi Mukole came off the bench to tally 8 points and 6 rebounds.

The Spartans' leading scorer, Tony Murphy, was held to only four points by Hampton, but Corey Lyons picked up the slack with 15 points and Chidi Okoli finished with 8 points and 9 rebounds before fouling out.

NEXT UP: The Bison will try to get back on the winning track when they travel to Princess Anne, MD to take on the Hawks of Maryland Eastern Shore on Saturday at 4 pm while the Spartans travel to Daytona Beach, FL for a match-up against the Wildcats of Bethune-Cookman University on Saturday at 4 pm.