Box Score | Updated Bracket

NORFOLK, Va., March 8, 2018 – No. 4 North Carolina A&T State advanced to the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Basketball Tournament semifinals after defeating No. 5 Norfolk State 70-64 inside the Norfolk Scope Arena.
 
North Carolina A&T State shot efficient from the floor, recording 51 percent (22-of-43). After allowing 52 percent shooting (16-of-31) in the first half, the Aggies clamped down on the defensive end after intermission, holding the Spartans to 36-percent (11-of-31).
 
Femi Olujobi, an All-MEAC selection, led the way with a team-high 18 points and nine boards. Fellow All-MEAC honoree Kameron Langley added 16 points and eight assists in the victory.
 
Minutes into the second half, Norfolk State’s Kyle Williams connected on a three-pointer and extended the Spartans advantage to nine, 42-33, but the Aggies went on a quick 6-0 run and sliced the margin to three at the 16:31 mark, 42-39.
 
Norfolk State pushed the lead back to eight, but another North Carolina A&T State run tied the contest at 49 after a pair of free throws from Olujobi.
 
From that point, the Aggies took control with a 13-6 run, 62-55. Norfolk State made one final effort and sliced the deficit down to a one-possession game at the 2:20 mark, 63-61, but North Carolina A&T State made several clutch free throws down the stretch to keep the Spartans at bay.
 
North Carolina A&T State’s Aaren Edmead chipped in 11 points and four assists off the bench.
 
A fast break layup from North Carolina A&T State’s Devonte Boykins gave Aggies a double-digit advantage, 19-9, but the Spartans fought back with a 16-9 run and trimmed the margin down to three, 28-25.
 
With under two minutes left before intermission, both squads were deadlocked at 32 until a jumper and three-pointer from Williams put Norfolk State ahead at the break, 37-32.
 
Norfolk State (14-19) had three Spartans reach double-figures, led by Kyle Williams with a game-high 20 points on 8-of-11 shooting. Steven Whitley and Mastadi Pitt netted 15 and 11, respectively, in a losing effort.
 
North Carolina A&T State (20-13) meets top seeded Hampton in the MEAC Semifinals. Friday night’s showdown starts at 6 p.m.