Wednesday
NSU vs. Newberry, 7 p.m., Joseph Echols Hall
Radio: Hot 91.1 FM
Live Stats | Live Video/Audio | Game Notes

NORFOLK, Va. - Back in the friendly confines of Joseph Echols Hall, the Norfolk State men's basketball team will play its home opener this Wednesday against Newberry College. Game time is 7 p.m.

Media Coverage: The game can be heard live on WNSB Hot 91.1 FM with Ross Gordon on the call. Fans can also listen to the game and watch the live video stream at the same time with the Spartan Showcase Video Streaming portal. Live stats will be available as well here.

Series History: This will mark the first ever meeting between the two schools.

About Newberry: The Division II Wolves own a 1-0 record on the year after a 94-72 victory over Armstrong on Sunday. Prior to the trip to Norfolk, Newberry will face Barber-Scoia at home on Tuesday night. After finishing 14-13 last year and 9-9 in the South Atlantic Conference, Newberry used a strong offensive performance to win its first game this year. Six different players scored in double figures, led by Cole Birchfield with 16. Demarkus Smith had 12 points, seven assists and three steals. The Wolves used 16 players in the game.

Last Time Out: A wild affair took place in the season opener for both teams, but in the end the Spartans fell short in a 95-83 loss at Texas Southern on Saturday. NSU got a big game from senior Malcolm Hawkins, who tallied a career-high 31 points with six rebounds and two assists. The Tigers, who shot better than 58 percent from the field for the game, received 33 points from Aaric Murray and another 25 from Jose Rodriguez.

Hawkins' Big Day: With his 31-point effort, including 24 points in the second half, Malcolm Hawkins became the first NSU player to score at least 30 since Kyle O'Quinn had 37 at Coppin State on Jan. 31, 2011. It also was the first time a Spartan player scored at least 20 in a half since O'Quinn had 27 in the second half against Coppin State on Jan. 30, 2012. Hawkins hit 10-of-13 from the free throw line as well, the most free throws since O'Quinn had 10 against UMES on Jan. 7, 2012.

Dominating the Glass: The Spartans posted 21 offensive rebounds against Texas Southern, the most since grabbing 24 against Coppin State on Jan. 30, 2012.

More Tidbits on TSU: NSU's 32 field goals marked the most since the Spartans had 32 against Missouri in the NCAA tournament on March 16, 2012. Prior to that, the last time NSU had more than 32 field goals was on Jan. 31, 2011, when the team had 37 in a 110-108, double overtime win at Coppin State.

The Spartans also scored 50 points in a half for the first time since tallying 53 in the second half on Feb. 25, 2012 at Bethune-Cookman. The combined 178 points between NSU and Texas Southern was the most since that victory at Coppin State two and a half years ago. It was also the most combined points in a regulation game since a 97-82 loss at South Carolina State on Jan. 25, 2010.

Texas Southern shot 58.9 percent from the floor, the best shooting percentage by an NSU opponent since Fairfield hit 63.2 percent on Nov. 26, 2010.

Beginning the Climb: Sitting at No. 33 right now in all-time scoring at NSU, Pendarvis Williams needs nine points to begin his climb up the scoring chart. That will get him to 32nd place, and 39 points will move him all the way up to 30th place.

CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Poll: Ranked in the top 25 at the end of last year, Norfolk State finds itself in the others receiving votes category in the preseason mid-major top 25 poll from CollegeInsider.com. NSU received 20 points in the voting done by a variety of mid-major coaches.