BALTIMORE (AP) — Pendarvis Williams scored 23 points with 12 rebounds, both season highs, as Norfolk State held off Coppin State 80-70 Saturday to win its seventh straight game and stay atop the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference standings.
The Spartans (13-10, 8-0), who also defeated the Eagles 75-68 on Jan. 19, led 35-25 at halftime before expanding their lead to 18. Coppin State (5-18, 2-6) chipped away, using a 7-0 spurt to get within six, at 74-68 with 1:20 to go.
Jamel Fuentes answered with two free throws and Rob Johnson made a layup to end the threat. Williams added two free throws with 13 seconds left to score in double figures for the 10th straight game.
For only the second time in its past 11 contests, Norfolk State committed more turnovers than its opponent — 24 to 17.
Andre Armstrong led the Eagles with 24 points, making 11 of 12 free throws.
