Norfolk State downs NC Central 66-47 to advance in MEAC

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) Jeff Short scored 12 of his 16 points in the first half and second-seeded Norfolk State used a big first-half run to beat No. 7 seed North Carolina Central 66-47 on Wednesday night to advance to the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference tournament semifinals.

The Spartans (17-15) will play the winner of Thursday's quarterfinal matchup between No. 11 Coppin State (10-21) and No. 3 South Carolina State (17-13) on Friday.

Norfolk jumped to a 24-9 lead on Zaynah Robinson's layup and led 36-21 at halftime while the Eagles made 5 of 19 field goals (26.3 percent).

The Spartans led 45-28 on D'Shon Taylor's 3-pointer early in the second half, led by 22 on Jordan Butler's dunk with 7:11 to go and the Eagles trailed by double digits the rest of the way.

Taylor scored 13 points, Charles Oliver added 10 for the Spartans, who made 17 of 22 free throws.

Dante Holmes scored 17 points for the Eagles (13-19), who were hurt by 18 turnovers and shot 33.3 percent (15 of 45) overall.