Don't sleep on the Norfolk State. The fifteenth-seeded Spartans have given Missouri all that they can handle, as Norfolk State and Missouri are tied at 38-38 at halftime.
Marcus Denmon leads the game in scoring through the first half, shooting 5-of-9 from the field, including 4-of-8 from beyond the arc for 14 first half points.
So far, Mizzou hasn't been able to find an answer for Norfolk State center Kyle O'Quinn, who leads the Spartans with 14 points and leads both teams with six rebounds. Pendarvis Williams is also in double digits for Norfolk State, scoring 11 first half points. Williams is also a perfect three-for-three from behind the arc.
Norfolk State is winning the rebounding battle as well, out-rebounding Missouri by a 19-13 margin through the first half.
Still, there's a full half still left to play. On Thursday, UNC Asheville led Syracuse by four points at the half, but the top-seeded Orange eventually pulled away to advance to the Round of 32. Missouri fans will be hoping for something similar to happen against Norfolk State.
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