It was quite a comeback by Norfolk State, but it still resulted in defeat.
Troy Baxter had 24 points and Trevor Moore made two clinching free throws with four seconds left as Morgan State (5-2) held off NSU 78-74 Saturday at Echols Hall.
Both teams were playing their first Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference game of the season. The teams square off again at 2 p.m. Sunday afternoon.
The Spartans (4-4) cut a 19-point deficit to one on two occasions in the second half, including Devante Carter’s layup to make it 72-71 with 54 seconds to go.
Sherwyn Devonish-Prince Jr.’s layup and two Malik Miller foul shots with 20 seconds to go put the Bears ahead 76-71.
Kashaun Hicks scored a career-high 20 points for NSU, including a 3-pointer with eight seconds remaining that cut the gap to 76-74.
Jalen Hawkins added 14 points. Mustafa Lawrence and Carter had 10 each.
Lagio Grantsaan had 14 points and 10 rebounds for Morgan State, which earned its fourth straight road victory. Moore added seven points and six rebounds for the Bears, who grabbed leads of 13-2 and 43-24.
