Jamel Fuentes came off the bench to score 10 of his 11 points in the second half as Norfolk State came back to defeat Rhode Island 67-55 Friday night in both teams' season opener.
Fuentes, a junior guard, sank a 3-pointer just 4 seconds into the second half to cut the Spartans' deficit to 30-28.
After the Rams came back to lead 47-42 with 9:23 remaining on a three-point play by Nikola Malesevic, Fuentes took charge. He made a three-point play of his own, then stole the ball and tied the game with a jumper. His layup with 8:57 to play put the Spartans in front 49-47, and they never relinquished the lead.
Brandon Goode had 13 points and 13 rebounds for the Spartans, who went 26-10 last season and beat Missouri in the NCAA tournament before losing to Florida.
Malesevic had 26 points and nine rebounds for Rhode Island.
