Rob Hampton scored a career-high 26 points and Brandon Wheeless tallied 11 of his 13 points in the second half as Norfolk State defeated Jacksonville State 70-53 on Tuesday night.
With it tied 30-30 at halftime, Wheeless came off the bench to spark the Spartans, who outscored Jacksonville State 40-23 after the break.
After allowing a 52.2-percent shooting performance in the first half (12 of 23), the Norfolk State defense tightened up in the second, limiting the Gamecocks to just 7 of 24 from the field (29.2 percent).
After leading 36-34 early in the second half, Norfolk State (1-1) outscored Jacksonville State 27-11 over a span of 12:22, capped by Kyle O'Quinn's free throws for a 63-45 lead.
Norfolk State led by as many as 21, 70-49, on Wheeless' jumper with 2:53 remaining.
Nick Murphy led the Gamecocks (1-1) with 18 points. Stephen Hall added 13.
