NORFOLK, Va. – A 14-4 run to start the fourth quarter allowed Norfolk State University to break open a one-point game and claim an 86-76 victory over the Towson University women's basketball team on Tuesday night. Sophomore forward Nukiya Mayo led Towson with 20 points, as she was one of four Tigers to score in double figures in the contest.

THE BASICS
Norfolk State 86, Towson 76
Echols Memorial Hall, Norfolk, Va.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The game was a back-and-forth affair that featured nine ties and six lead changes.
• Norfolk State scored the first five points of the game before the two teams battled through four ties over the next four plus minutes.
• A lay-up from Mayo at 5:58 tied the game at 13-13.
• The Spartans used a 13-4 run to take a 26-17 lead with 1:56 left in the period. Gabrielle Swinson accounted for six of the Norfolk State points during that run.
• Towson (4-5) scored the final three points of the stanza on a jumper from senior center Daijha Thomas and a made free throw from grad student guard Kayla Davis.
• Norfolk State took a 26-20 lead after 10 minutes of action.
• Towson scored seven of the first nine points in the second quarter and cut its deficit to one, 28-27 with 7:29 left on the clock. Sophomore guard Etalyia Vogt had a pair of baskets during that scoring run.
• Norfolk State responded with a 9-1 run of its own and pushed its lead back to nine, 37-28 with 3:27 to go till the half. Raven Russell went 3-for-4 from the foul line during that stretch.
• The two teams traded baskets before Towson scored the final seven points of the period. That late run by the Tigers gave Norfolk State a 40-38 lead at the half.
• Towson scored 12 of the first 20 points in the third quarter and took a 50-48 lead with 4:36 to go in the stanza. Senior forward Mary Cuevas led the Tigers with four points during that stretch while junior guard Danielle Durjan and Vogt each connected on a triple.
• The two teams traded baskets as a jumper from redshirt senior guard Raine Bankston tied the game at 54-54 with 3:19 left in the period.
• A 7-2 run gave Norfolk State a 61-56 lead with 1:09 showing on the clock. Swinson tallied five of the Spartans' seven during that stretch.
• Towson scored the final four points of the period and the visitors trailed by just one, 61-60 with 10 minutes to play.
• Norfolk State used a 14-4 run at the start of the fourth quarter to turn a one-point lead into an 11-point advantage, 75-64 with 6:10 to play. Kayla Roberts connected on a pair of three-pointers during that run.
• An 8-2 run powered by six points from Mayo pulled the Tigers to within five, 77-72 with 3:07 to play.
• The two teams traded buckets over the final three minutes as the Spartans claimed the 86-76 win.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

• Towson shot just 36 percent from the field but was 19-for-22 (86.4%) from the foul line. Norfolk State shot 48.4 percent from the field and was aided by eight three-pointers.
• The Tigers won the rebounding battle for the ninth straight game. Towson pulled down 45 rebounds to Norfolk State's 39 boards.
• Mayo led Towson with 20 points, eight rebounds, four assists, two blocks and two steals. It was her second game this season with 20 or more points.
• Bankston finished with 18 points while Vogt added 13 points with a team-high three steals.
• Cuevas contributed 10 points and 11 rebounds for her second straight double-double and fourth of the season.
• Russell led Norfolk State with 22 points and seven assists.

The Tigers will take time off for finals and will be back in action on Thursday, Dec. 21 when they face Arkansas Pine Bluff in the first game of the Las Vegas Holiday Hoops Classic. Opening tip is set for 5:15 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.