Norfolk State wins MEAC opener 77-63 behind Jamerson
- Jan. 05, 2019 09:02 PM EST
Norfolk State guard Nic Thomas, foreground, looks for an open teammate to pass the ball to while Delaware State's Kevin Larkin (2) defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Jan. 5, 2019, in Norfolk, Va. (Mike Caudill/The Virginian-Pilot via AP)
Norfolk State guard Nic Thomas, foreground, looks for an open teammate to pass the ball to while Delaware State's Kevin Larkin (2) defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Jan. 5, 2019, in Norfolk, Va. (Mike Caudill/The Virginian-Pilot via AP)
Norfolk State forward Jordan Butler (45) fights to recover a rebound against Delaware State during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Jan. 5, 2019, in Norfolk, Va. (Mike Caudill/The Virginian-Pilot via AP)
Delaware State head coach Eric Skeeters talks to one of his players during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Norfolk State, Saturday, Jan. 5, 2019, in Norfolk, Va. (Mike Caudill/The Virginian-Pilot via AP)
Norfolk State forward Alex Long drives in for a layup against two Delaware State defenders during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Jan. 5, 2019, in Norfolk, Va. (Mike Caudill/The Virginian-Pilot via AP)
Norfolk State forward Alex Long drives in for a layup against Delaware State's Jon Mitchell during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Jan. 5, 2019, in Norfolk, Va. (Mike Caudill/The Virginian-Pilot via AP)
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NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — Derrik Jamerson Jr. scored 21 points with five 3-pointers, Alex Long scored 14 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, and Norfolk State opened Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play with a 76-63 win over Delaware State on Saturday night to end a two-game skid.

Nic Thomas scored 15 with four 3s and Jordan Butler scored nine and grabbed 11 rebounds for Norfolk State (6-10), which outrebounded the Hornets 49-33 and held them to 34-percent shooting. Steven Whitley scored 12 with eight boards.

Whitley's jumper capped a 10-0 run to open the second half for a 43-30 Spartans' lead, but the Hornets cut it to five, 47-42, on Johquin Wiley's layup with 14:58 to go. The Spartans pulled away on a 10-2 run capped by Long's dunk and led 72-58 on Whitley's 3 with 1:26 left.

Wiley set career highs with 28 points and 6 of 14 3-pointers for the Hornets (3-11), who have lost three straight. Kevin Larkin added 20 points with eight boards.