Game Notes
NORFOLK, Va. - The Spartans (3-13) will try for their first two-game winning streak of the season this Saturday as they host North Carolina Central (7-8) in a game that does not count in the MEAC standings. Tip-off is slated for 6 p.m. at Echols Hall.
NSU has won two of three after a 63-53 victory at Howard on Monday night. Rob Hampton scored 23 points to pace the Spartans, while Chris McEachin added 11.
MEDIA COVERAGE
• Radio: WNSB 91.1 FM The Game (Play-by-Play: Chris Park; Color: Ross Gordon)
• Live Audio Stream: http://mmedia.nsu.edu:8089/wnsb
• Live Video Stream: www.nsuspartans.com/showcase
• Live Stats: www.sidearmstats.com/nsu/mbball
SERIES NOTES
NSU leads the all-time series with NCCU, 26-7. The majority of those meetings came while both schools were members of the Division II CIAA. NSU has won the only meeting between the two as Division I members, taking an 87-83 victory on Jan. 7, 2008 at Echols Hall.
HOWARD TIP-INS
Some additional notes from NSU's win over Howard on Monday:
• One game after shooting a season-worst 6 percent from 3-point range at Hampton (1-of-16), NSU matched its season high with nine made 3-pointers, connecting on 45 percent (9-of-20).
• NSU improved to 1-6 in games decided by 10 points or less, 1-3 vs. MEAC opposition.
• Howard shot just 32.7 percent from the floor, worst by an NSU opponent this year. The Bison's 53 points scored are tied for the second-worst Spartan opponent output of the season.
• Tim Zephyr had a career-high four assists.
SCOUTING THE EAGLES
NCCU comes into this game 7-8 overall. The Eagles were admitted as new members of the MEAC last year, but are not eligible for conference championships this year. They have played four MEAC teams this year, winning the first three of those games. NCCU beat South Carolina State 74-71 on Dec. 4, UMES 67-61 on Jan. 10 and Coppin State 77-71 on Jan. 15. NCCU also has a 63-54 loss to Delaware State on its slate so far this year. All told, the Eagle men will play every MEAC team this season except Morgan State and Hampton. They are led by guards Landon Clement (17.7 ppg, 53 3-pointers) and C.J. Wilkerson (17.1 ppg).
O'QUINN AMONG NATIONAL LEADERS
Junior center Kyle O'Quinn grabbed 10 rebounds on Monday against Howard and now ranks 34th in the nation this year in that department. He has been ranked as high as seventh in the nation this year. His 9.5 average also ranks second in the MEAC behind the 10.9 average of N.C. A&T's Thomas Coleman.
O'Quinn also ranks tied for 19th nationally with 2.75 blocks per game, good for third in the conference.
His six double-doubles rate as the third-most in the MEAC.
PAULINE PICKS UP THE PACE
Senior point guard Aleek Pauline is in the midst of one of his best stretches of play as a Spartan. Pauline recently scored in double figures three straight games (vs. Bethune-Cookman, FAMU, Hampton) for the fi rst time in his NSU career. Though he had just three points at Howard on Monday, he dished out eight assists, his second-highest tally of the year. He is averaging 6.6 assists per game in five January contests.
In all, Pauline has scored in double figures seven times this year, matching his season totals from both his sophomore and junior seasons. Pauline also ranks third in the MEAC in assists (4.6) and seventh in steals (1.5).
O'QUINN TABBED MEAC PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Junior center Kyle O'Quinn added to his season accolades when he was named MEAC Player of the Week for Jan. 17. He averaged 18 points, 10 rebounds and 3.5 blocks per game in contests with FAMU and Hampton last week. O'Quinn also shot 52 percent from the floor and 91 from the foul line. He has also been named MEAC Defensive Player of the Week twice this season.
