Virginia 67, Norfolk State 56: Akil Mitchell posted his 12th double-double of the season with 15 points and 11 rebounds to guide the host Cavaliers to a first-round victory in the National Invitation Tournament over the Spartans.

Freshman Justin Anderson scored 15 points for Virginia (22-11), which won its school-record 18th straight game at home. The Cavaliers will meet St. John’s in the second round.

Rob Johnson recorded his second double-double of the season with 16 points and a season-high 13 rebounds to lead Norfolk State (21-12), which dropped its final two games after registering the fourth undefeated regular-season run in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference history. Leading scorer Pendarvis Williams added 16 points, but hit only 4-of-16 field-goal attempts.

The Cavaliers surrendered the first eight points over the first 3:43, only to hold the Spartans to that same total over the remainder of the first half to enter the break with a 26-16 advantage. Virginia stretched the margin to 11 points early in the second half, but poor foul shooting (22-for-37) and 17 turnovers kept Norfolk State in the game.

Six consecutive free throws from Rashid Gaston helped allow the Spartans to trim their deficit to 47-44 with 5:44 remaining, but Norfolk State was limited to a three-point play from Johnson over the next 4:05, enabling Virginia to regain a double-digit cushion in the final minutes.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Norfolk State’s 16 first-half points were one shy of matching a season low for both teams. The Spartans scored 15 points in the first half against Maryland-Eastern Shore in a 63-58 win on Jan. 12 while the Cavaliers held Delaware to 15 points in a 59-53 loss on Nov. 13. … Virginia G Jontel Evans was injured with 6:54 left when he was undercut by Malcolm Hawkins on a drive to the basket. Evans was tested for a concussion and returned 2:33 later. … The Cavaliers improved to 20-0 all-time against MEAC opponents.