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On Friday afternoon, the Norfolk State Spartans traveled to Bowling Green’s Stroh Center for both team’s last non-conference game. For Norfolk State it has been rough going so far, losing 9 of their last 10 coming into play on Friday. Bowling Green came into play looking to make it two wins in a row and pull within one win of .500 at 6-7.
Both teams came out of the gate on fire, combing to go 9 for 13 from the field with the Falcons leading 16-13 at the under 16 media timeout. The scoring pace would quickly come to halt though, as that would remain the score for the next three minutes. Bowling Green would keep the lead throughout the first half despite missing a series of lay-ups. Their aggressive play allowed them to capitalize at the free throw line though. They would get 12 points at the stripe in the 1st half and finish on a 5-0 run to lead the Spartans 36-30 at the break.
The Falcons would be forced to take an early timeout at the 16:29 mark, after Norfolk State surged to gain the lead at 44-42, using a 14-6 run to start the half. The Spartans would keep the lead but things began to turn when they committed a foul at the 10:05 mark, putting the Falcons into the bonus early in the half. The Falcons would take advantage and take back the lead at 64-63 at the under 8 media timeout. Bowling Green didn’t let up as they would turn the Spartans over to get easy baskets during a 13-3 run that would push their lead to 73-66 with 3:45 to play. The Falcons would extend the lead to a game high 14 points before closing out the Spartans 86-77.
The Bowling Green win was their sixth consecutive victory at The Stroh Center as they move to 6-7 on the season. The Falcons got 13 points from Rodrick Caldwell in the second half and a career high scoring game from freshman Justin Turner, with 10 points. They were led by Wes Alcegaire’s 17 points and Demajeo Wiggins dropped in 15 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. Bowling Green opens up MAC conference play on Tuesday at Akron University.
Norfolk State will be glad to be done with non-conference play as they fall to 3-11 and have dropped 10 of their last 11. They were led by Jonathon Wade with 23 points on 8 of 13 from the field, and Zaynah Robinson’s 22 points and 6 dimes. The Spartans face Morgan State on Wednesday to kick off MEAC play.