Norfolk State 56, Savannah State 49

Guard Malcolm Hawkins scored 16 points and guard Pendarvis Williams added 13 as Norfolk State rallied for a 56-49 victory over Savannah State on Monday night in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference game at Savannah, Ga.

The Spartans (12-9, 6-2) knocked the Tigers (11-10, 5-2) out of the MEAC lead and won their fifth straight in the series.

Forward Joshua Montgomery scored 13 points while guard Keierre Richards added 11 for Savannah State, which dropped its second straight.

Forward RaShid Gaston collected a game-high 13 rebounds for Norfolk State, which now leads the all-time series 5-3.

After the Tigers jumped in front 8-6, Hawkins scored seven points as Norfolk State went on a 15-2 run over the next 12:30 to open a 21-10 lead.

Savannah State replied with 10 consecutive points and cut the deficit to 21-20 on forward Jyles Smith’s two free throws with 1:01 left in first half. Gaston’s free throw pushed the lead back to two, and Norfolk State entered halftime with a 22-20 advantage.

The Tigers moved ahead in the second half, leading 42-35 with eight minutes to play. The Spartans rallied to a 47-47 tie on Williams two free throws with 3:40 left and went ahead for good at 49-47 on Williams’ jumper 23 seconds later.

Savannah State won five straight until last Saturday’s 80-71 MEAC loss to Hampton, but it maintained sole possession of the league lead after previously unbeaten Morgan State dropped a 68-67 overtime decision Saturday to North Carolina A&T.

Norfolk State travels to Miami for a non-conference game Saturday, while Savannah State plays at Bethune-Cookman on Saturday in a MEAC game.