Spartans cold in 83-49 loss at Michigan

By Larry O'Connor

Special to The Virginian-Pilot

ANN ARBOR, Mich.

The nomadic Norfolk State men's basketball team's reward may ultimately be found in the accumulation of frequent flier miles and hotel points.

On the basketball court, things are not so generous as the Spartans learned again Tuesday, losing to the University of Michigan 83-49 at Crisler Arena. The loss was the second in a four-game road swing that concludes Sunday at Air Force.

After returning home on Dec. 2, Norfolk State (1-2) then embarks on a nine-game road odyssey that includes the Basketball Travelers Tip-Off Tournament at Missouri State Dec. 21-22 and Montana State Classic Dec. 28-29.

In the latest drubbing, it's hard to fathom the Spartans led at one point. They did as Aleek Pauline sank two free throws three minutes in to put Norfolk State up 2-0.

The Wolverines (4-1) then went on a romp, holding a 30-point advantage through most of the second half.

UM's Manny Harris led with a game-high 16 points as 1 of 5 Wolverines who reached double figures. Anthony Wright scored 12 points while DeShawn Sims and Jevohn Shepherd both had 11 points. Zack Novac collected 10 points in the first half, which include two 3-point baskets.

"We had some groups that worked well together and we played good defense in the beginning of the first half until ( Novac) came in and started knocking down some shots," Norfolk State coach Anthony Evans said.

Michael DeLoach led the Spartans with 15 points and pulled down nine rebounds. Forward Kyle O'Quinn and Kevin Worsley both had nine points off the bench, providing Norfolk State a bright spot in the second half.

The Wolverines were brazen enough to try for 3-pointers from all angles, converting 5 of 15 attempts in the first half. Norfolk State's brief spurt - highlighted by an O'Quinn 3-pointer and field goal - late in the half propped up the tepid showing.

The Spartans' 10-of-37 performance from the floor contributed to their first-half woes.

Deloach, who scored a career-high 32 points in last week's loss at William and Mary, was 3 of 12 and missed his lone 3-point attempt in the first half.

"I don't think we were making shots," Evans said. "We were getting good shots, we were getting open shots. They just weren't going down for us in the first half."