NORFOLK, Va. (AP) Malik Thomas scored 14 points and Jeff Short added 12 with three steals as Norfolk State defeated Pfeiffer 81-43 in the season opener for both teams on Friday night.
The Spartans hit 28 of 59 shots to finish at 47.5 percent from the field for the largest margin of victory in 26 years. Norfolk State raced out to a lead as large as 22-6 in the early minutes, led by 22 at halftime and steadily opened the gap in the second half.
The Spartans outscored Pfeiffer 20-8 in points off the bench after halftime. For the game, Norfolk State outscored the Falcons in every category - 32-16 in the paint, 34-6 off turnovers, 18-4 on second chance baskets and 6-0 off the fast break.
De'Vonte Jenkins led Pfeiffer with 14 points. The Falcons were harried into 23 turnovers. Rashid Gaston blocked three shots and scored 10 points for Norfolk State.
