NORFOLK, Va. – Cletrell Pope scored 14 points as Bethune-Cookman opened Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play with an 85-72 setback to Norfolk State Saturday.

Mailk Maitland added 13 points and Joe French 12 for the Wildcats, now 6-9 overall and 0-1 in the MEAC.

Joe Bryant (5-11, 1-0) led the Spartans with 21 points.

Steven Whitley and Jermaine Bishop combined for 21 in the first half as the Spartans took a 43-29 halftime lead.

Houston Smith helped the Wildcats get as close as 51-38 with 13:46 remaining, but the Spartans went on a 10-0 run to push their lead to 23.

Bethune-Cookman plays at Howard Monday.