HAMPTON, Va. -- Deron Powers scored 23 points on 8-of-12 shooting to lead Hampton to a 61-53 victory over Norfolk State on Saturday.

In a tight matchup, Hampton (17-11, 12-3 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) retook the lead for good on a Powers jumper early in the second half that made it 29-28 with 15:07 to go, and pulled away a short time later with an 8-1 spurt. Norfolk State (16-12, 10-4) shaved the gap to 45-41 with an Anell Alexis layup but it's as close as the Spartans would get down the stretch.

Du'Vaughn Maxwell contributed 12 points and nine rebounds for the Pirates, who shot just 38 percent from the field (21 of 56) in winning their sixth straight game.

Brandon Goode and Malcolm Hawkins led Norfolk State with 12 points apiece.

Alexis added 11 for the Spartans, who were 43 percent from the field but put up 12 fewer shots than Hampton.