NORFOLK, Va. -- Alex Long had 14 points and a career-high 17 rebounds and Steven Whitley scored 12, including the winning layup at the buzzer, to help Norfolk State beat Bethune-Cookman 71-70 on Saturday night for the Wildcats' first loss in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play.

Nic Thomas' corner 3 put the Spartans up 46-44, but Brandon Tabb replied with a 3 and the lead traded hands until Whitley's jumper with 47 seconds left made it 67-66 Norfolk State.

Tabb's free throws put the Wildcats up 70-69 with eight seconds left and, after timeouts by both teams, Whitley hit his layup at the buzzer.

Kyle Williams and Derrik Jamerson Jr. scored 13 points apiece for the Spartans (5-16, 3-3), who shot 32.9 percent from the field and trailed 35-28 at halftime.

Tabb and Shawntrez Davis scored 18 points apiece, Soufiyane Diakite added 11 with a career-best 17 rebounds, and Isaiah Bailey scored 10 points for the Wildcats (11-10, 5-1), who saw their six-game win streak end.