Michael Deloach scored a game-high 16 points off the bench, and host Norfolk State used a strong defensive effort to down visiting Howard 59-44 on Monday night at Echols Hall.

The Spartans held Howard to 35 percent shooting and scored 22 points off 19 Bison turnovers. The result was NSU’s fourth win in its last five games, all coming by at least 15 points.

There were two ties early in the game, but consecutive layups by Chidi Okoli, making his first career start, gave NSU the lead for good six minutes in. The Spartans outscored Howard 19-6 over the last 9:26 of the first half and led 32-18 at the half. The 18 points are the fewest in a half by a Spartan opponent this season.

Howard could get no closer than the halftime margin in the second half. A Eugene Myatt jumper brought the Bison within 36-22 with 16:47 remaining, but the Spartans went on a 23-6 run over the next seven minutes to blow the game open. A Corey Lyons layup capped the run and gave NSU its largest lead of the night, 59-28, with 9:33 left.

The Spartans did not score after that bucket, with their reserves playing the final nine-plus minutes.

Lyons added 15 points and tied his career-best with nine rebounds. Okoli posted career highs of eight points and nine rebounds in his 21 minutes of work, and Tony Murphy dished out a career-high six assists. NSU outscored Howard 18-0 in fast-break points.

Randy Hampton had 13 points to pace Howard. Paul Kirkpatrick added nine, and Myatt and Kandi Mukole had eight apiece.