NORFOLK, Va. – Jeff Short scored 17 of his game-high 24 points in the first half, and Rashid Gaston added 20 points with 12 rebounds to power Norfolk State to an 85-65 win against Morgan State on Saturday night in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference opener for both teams.
 
D'Shon Taylor added 10 points, while Jamel Fuentes dished out a game high seven assists for the Pirates (5-4, 1-0 MEAC), who finished the night by shooting 63 percent (31-49) from the field and 4-for-8 from beyond the arc.
 
The Spartans used a 10-0 run at the end of the first half to help take a 41-29 lead at the intermission.
 
Blake Bozeman hit a pair of free throws to help trim NSU's lead to 53-45 with 12:18 left to play. However, the Spartans blew the game open with a 21-7 run during a 5-minute stretch. The lead ballooned to 74-52 following a layup by LaTre'e Russell with 5:10 remaining --  it marked the largest lead of the night.
 
Morgan State (1-7, 0-1 MEAC) shot 34.4 percent (21-61) from the field and was outrebounded by a 41-26 margin. The Bears also had a tough night at the free throw line where they converted just 53.6 percent (15-28).
 
Cedric Blossom led the Bears with 13 points and eight rebounds, while Blake Bozeman finished with 11 points and Jamar Redmond added 10. 

The Bears will travel to face Hampton (3-5, 1-0 MEAC) on Monday, December 8 in Hampton, Virginia. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. at the HU Covocation Center.