Norfolk, VA—James "J-Byrd" Daniel, III scored a game-high 24 points and James "JC" Carlton contributed 21, but Norfolk State used free throw shooting down the stretch to hold off Howard, 72-69 in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference men's game at Echols Hall.
                 
The win snapped a four-game Howard win streak for Howard (12-11, 6-3 MEAC) while the Spartans escaped with their fifth in a row.
                 
The game resembled a tournament game as both teams went toe to toe.  Norfolk State (16-9, 9-1 MEAC) had the early advantage, leading by 10 at the 6:46 mark.  But Daniel and Carlton combined to lead a 17-7 run and tie the score at 38 at intermission.  The Spartans got more balance as six players scored with D'Shon Taylor and Rashid Gaston tallying eight apiece.
                 
The Bison (12-11, 6-3 MEAC) got off to a good start in the opening of the second half, outscoring the hosts 4-0.  From there, it turned into a war of attrition as the fouls began to mount.
                 
Jeff Short, the MEAC's leading scorer, who sat out most of the first half with fouls, began to come alive and help lead his team to a 60-49 lead at the 9:18.  Malik Thomas also got into the act, scoring 10 of his 16 points off the bench in the second stanza.
                 
The scrappy Bison refused to fold and Daniel and Carlton along with some unexpected help from Brandon Ford.  A Carlton three pointer closed out a 14-3 run during a two-minute stretch that tied the game at 63 with 4:27 remaining.
                 
"We were looking for spark and Brandon Ford came off the bench to give us that," said Howard head coach Kevin Nickelberry.  Not only did he hit two big shots, he was also a key to our defense when we made the run.  I also thought Norsworthy (Jared) and Theo (Boyomo) gave us a boost with their play."
                 
The two teams went back and forth from there.  Each time, Norfolk State appeared to get some breathing room, Daniel and Carlton would answer.  Norfolk State seemed to have the game in hand when it knocked down some free throws to make the score, 70-65 with only 14 ticks on the clock.
                 
"Give Gaston credit; he was able to create fouls with his play and it was a factor," said Nickelberry.  "The fouls were huge and we were never able to get over the hump."
                 
That changed quickly when Daniel hit a three-point bomb nine seconds later to make it a one-possession game.
                 
Thomas and Short were able to hit one of two while Daniel made one of two to close out the scoring.
                 
"We had our chances, but we missed some layups and turned the ball over and when you play games like this on the road, you don't have much margin for error," noted Nickelberry.  "Those are some things that we have to clean up."
                 
The Spartans got the Bison post players in foul trouble and went to the foul line 36 times.  They also won the rebounding battle, 35-23, the points-in-the-paint and bench production, 28-10.  But statistics can be misleading and the Bison proved it with their scrappy play and never-say-die attitude.
                 
"We were down but we kept fighting," he said.  "We remained resilient.  If we clean up some things like our turnovers and free throw shooting, we are going to be fine.  I am proud of the way we competed to the end."
                 
Gaston recorded a double-double (17 points, 14 rebounds) while Thomas (16), Short (13) and Taylor (12) helped the balanced attack for Norfolk State.
                 
James "JT" Miller scored all 10 of his points in the first half.
 
NEXT UP:  Howard travels to Hampton, VA to take on rival Hampton on Monday at 8 pm while Norfolk State will try to extend its streak when its hosts Maryland Eastern Shore on Monday at 7:30 pm.