NORFOLK, Va. - The MEAC race heats up as the finish line approaches, and the Norfolk State men's basketball team will try to keep pace with its last road trip of the regular season. The Spartans travel to Maryland Eastern Shore on Saturday for a 4 p.m. contest at the Hytche Athletic Center.

The Spartans, winners of three straight and seven of their last eight, then travel to Howard on Monday for an ESPNU broadcast beginning at 7 p.m. from HU's Burr Gymnasium.

The Spartans currently sit fifth in the MEAC at 9-4, a half game behind Hampton (10-4). Savannah State, Bethune-Cookman and North Carolina A&T (10-3) are in a three-way tie for first place. The top three seeds receive byes to the conference tournament. North Carolina Central is a game behind NSU at 8-5.

Media Coverage
The games will be broadcast live on Famous 1310 AM as well as Hot 91.1 FM with Ross Gordon on the call. Live audio is available through www.wgh1310.com as well as hot91.nsu.edu:8000/128. Both feeds are available on smartphones through the Famous 1310 website or through www.TuneIn.com or the TuneIn Radio App (search for "WNSB") for Hot 91.1.

Fans can watch the NSU-Howard game live on ESPNU as well as on mobile devices through the WatchESPN app. Doug Sherman and Jason Capel will have the call.

Maryland Eastern Shore will have live stats through GameTracker. Howard will also have live stats available.

Series History
The Spartans have a commanding lead in the all-time series, 44-17, having won nine of the last 10. They have also taken the last four meetings in Princess Anne, Maryland. The Hawks won the first five meetings and seven of the first eight in the series, which began in 1953-54. The Spartans once won 15 in a row over MDES from the 2001-02 season into the 2008-09 campaign.

Norfolk State holds a sizeable edge over Howard in their all-time series, 43-10. The Spartans have won four in a row and 14 of the last 15 against the Bison. Howard's only win during that time was a 61-59 victory at home in overtime during the 2014-15 season.

Scouting Maryland Eastern Shore
The Hawks have struggled this season, sitting at 6-23 overall and 2-12 in the MEAC. Their conference victories came over Hampton and Florida A&M, both at home. In fact, all six of their wins have come either at home or on a neutral site court. They own a 0-18 road record this season. Four players do score in double figures, with Logan McIntosh first up with 12.3 points and 4.5 assists per game. Tyler Jones (11.6), Miryne Thomas (11.3 points, 7.6 rebounds) and Ahmad Frost (11.2 points) also reach double figures, although the Hawks do score just 62 points per game while giving up 78. In fact, they only shoot 38 percent overall and 28 percent from deep. Opponents hold the rebounding edge by an average of 6.3 boards and also turn it over only 11 times per game against MDES.

Scouting Howard
The Bison stand 8-21 overall and 5-8 in the MEAC heading into the weekend. They did win four in a row at one point, including wins over North Carolina Central and North Carolina A&T at home. Howard has won four of their six home games in the league so far this year heading into their game on Saturday against Delaware State at Burr Gymnasium. The Bison are led by the two-headed monster of R.J. Cole and Charles Williams. Cole leads the league in scoring and assists at 23.7 points and 5.8 assists per game. Williams is not far behind at 19.6 points. The duo has combined for more than 150 3-pointers. Kyle Foster has 44 - the team averages eight per game - and is third on the team in scoring at 6.3 points. Zion Cousins adds 5.6 with a team-high 7.2 rebounds. Howard gets beat on the glass by an average of 6 rebounds per game, although the Bison do win the turnover battle.

Last Time Out
Norfolk State had five players in double figures for the third straight game, and the Spartans outscored South Carolina State by 13 in the second half in a 76-62 win over the Bulldogs on Monday night at Joseph Echols Hall. NSU made 64 percent in the second half and 48 percent for the game, including 11-of-25 from 3-point range. Derrik Jamerson Jr. made 5-of-8 from 3-point range to lead the Spartans with 15 points. Nic Thomas and Steven Whitley each scored 12, and Whitley added 11 rebounds and seven assists. NSU also outrebounded the Bulldogs 39-27 and held a 17-4 advantage in second-chance points. Preston Bungei (11 points) and Alex Long (10) also scored in double figures.

Spartan Team Tidbits
 • Over the past 11 games, Norfolk State is shooting 45.5 percent overall and 39.0 percent from 3-point range, averaging 78.3 points per game. In the last 10 games, the opposition has shot 37.3 percent overall and 31.3 from deep.

 • Norfolk State is average 7.6 steals the last five games as opponents have turned it over 15.6 times during that stretch. The Spartans have also tallied 24.3 points off turnovers the past three games.

 • The Spartans have averaged 8.5 fastbreak points the past 11 games, and on the season they are outscoring teams 6.9 - 5.7 in fastbreak points per game.

 • Norfolk State is chasing a pair of school records. The Spartans are currently shooting 36.2 percent from 3-point range, with the school record of 35.7 set in 1998-99. With 220 total 3-pointers, they are also on pace to top the school record of 242 3-pointers set in 2015-16. The second-most in a season came last year when they sank 225.

 • Norfolk State has been a second half team. They have scored more points in the second half than the first in 21 of 28 games, with a 39.5-32.8 points per half discrepancy (+6.7) from the second to the first. Opponents, as well, have scored the same amount or more points in the second half compared to the first half in 20 of 28 games (38.5-34.9, +3.6).

 • The Spartans also have a +1.8 rebounding margin after the break compared to a +0.3 margin before, and shoot 44.8 percent in second halves compared to 40.8 in first halves.

 • Seven different players have led NSU in scoring this year: Derrik Jamerson Jr. (6), Mastadi Pitt and Nic Thomas (5), Alex Long, Steven Whitley and Kyle Williams (4), and Preston Bungei (1).

 • NSU ranks first in the MEAC in 3-point field goal percentage (36.2) and field goal percentage defense (41.8), second in scoring defense (73.9), third in blocks (3.7) and opponent rebounding (35.8), and fourth in rebounding (37.9), rebounding margin (+2.1), offensive rebounds (12.3), defensive rebounds (25.6), defensive rebound percentage (70.5), offensive rebound percentage (32.9) and 3-point field goals (7.9).

 • In conference games only, NSU ranks first in the MEAC in field goal percentage defense (38.3), 3-point field goal percentage (38.6) and rebounding margin (+6.3), second in scoring defense (71.1), rebounding (41.8), blocks (3.8), defensive rebound percentage (71.2) and offensive rebound percentage (35.3), and third in scoring margin (+5.8), 3-point field goal percentage defense (32.0), 3-point field goals (8.5), offensive rebounds (13.1) and defensive rebounds (28.8).

 • On a national level, NSU stands No. 30 in turnovers forced (15.46), No. 41 in offensive rebounds (12.25), No. 60 in field goal percentage defense (41.8), No. 69 in rebounds (37.89), No. 110 in rebound margin (2.1), No. 121 in 3-point field goal percentage (36.2), No. 128 in blocks (3.7) and No. 147 in defensive rebounds (25.64).

Player Tidbits
Alex Long
 • Averaging 11.8 points and 1.3 blocks last 12 games, 7.5 rebounds last 10 games and 1.8 steals last 5 games
 • Named MEAC Co-Defensive Player of the Week on Feb. 20
 • Had 2nd double-double of season and 4th of career with 14 points and 10 rebounds against Savannah State; tied career high with 3 steals as well
 • Stands 9th in the MEAC in field goal % (52.1) and blocks (0.9), 15th in rebounding (5.7) and 29th in scoring (10.9)
 • In MEAC games only, ranks 6th in blocks (1.0), 8th in field goal % (53.5), 10th in rebounding (7.0) and defensive rebounds (4.8), and 13th in offensive rebounds (2.2)
 • Ranks 13th in NSU D-I season records in field goal % (52.1)
 • Stands 6th all-time at NSU in blocks (101)
 • Ranks No. 256 in NCAA career records in rebounds (459)

Kyle Williams
 • Averaging 11.1 points and 1.8 assists the last 16 games; Shooting 38-of-87 overall and 24-of-55 from 3-point range the last 11 games
 • Ranks 5th in the MEAC in 3-point field goal % (39.3) and 11th in 3-point field goals (2.0)
 • In MEAC games only, ranks 9th in 3-point field goals (2.2) and 10th in 3-point field goal % (41.4)
 • Stands 12th in NSU D-I season records in 3-point field goal % (39.3)
 • Ranks 11th all-time at NSU in 3-point field goal % (37.6), 16th in 3-point field goals (97) and 18th in 3-point field goal attempts (258)

Preston Bungei
 • Averaging 8.0 rebounds the last 6 games and 10.0 points last 5 games
 • 12 of his last 12 from the free throw line
 • Tied career high with 12 rebounds vs. Savannah State
 • Ranks 12th in the MEAC in in rebounding (6.0) and defensive rebounds (4.6), and 15th in blocks (0.7)
 • In MEAC games only, ranks 7th in defensive rebounds (5.2) and 11th in rebounding (6.8)

Steven Whitley
 • Averaging 14.0 points on 42-of-94 shooting last 8 games and 8.7 assists last 3 games
 • Had 5th career double-double, and 2nd straight, with 12 points and 11 rebounds against South Carolina State; 4th career game with 10+ rebounds
 • Posted career-high 10 assists against Savannah State
 • Ranks 4th in the MEAC in steals (1.6), 7th in assist-turnover ratio (1.5), 8th in assists (4.4), 14th in defensive rebounds (4.3), 16th in rebounding (5.6) and 19th in scoring (11.7)
 • In MEAC games only, ranks 4th in assist-turnover ratio (1.8) and 7th in assists (5.0)
 • Stands No. 120 in the nation in steals (1.61) No. 120 in assists (4.4) and No. 169 in double doubles (5)
 • Ranks 5th in NSU D-I season records in assist average (4.43) and 6th in assists (124)

Mastadi Pitt
 • Averaging 2.8 assists the last 12 games played

Derrik Jamerson Jr.
 • Hit 5-of-8 from 3-point range against South Carolina State, his 6th game this year with 5 or more 3-pointers
 • Averaging 17.0 points on 18-of-31 shooting, 12-of-23 from deep, last 3 games
 • Ranks 3rd in the MEAC in 3-point field goal % (41.1) and 7th in 3-point field goals (2.4)
 • In MEAC games only, ranks 2nd in 3-point field goal % (46.1) and 5th in 3-point field goals (2.7)
 • Stands No. 159 in the nation in 3-point field goals (2.39)
 • Ranks 5th in NSU D-I season records in 3-point field goal % (41.1) and 3-point field goals (67) and 12th in 3-point field goal attempts (163); Also stands 8th in 3-point field goals, 13th in 3-point field goal % and 15th in 3-point field goal attempts in NSU overall season records
 • Ranks 6th all-time at NSU in 3-point field goal % (41.1)

Nic Thomas
 • Averaging 13.9 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.4 assists last 9 games, Shooting 19-of-46 from 3-point range and 38-of-45 from the free throw line during that time
 • Ranks 8th in the MEAC in free throw % (81.4)
 • In MEAC games only, ranks 5th in free throw % (84.3) and 12th in 3-point field goal % (40.0)
 • Stands No. 170 in the nation in free throw % (81.4)
 • Stands 8th in NSU D-I season records in free throw % (81.4) and 15th in overall season records

Stavian Allen
 • Averaging 5.1 points and 3.9 rebounds last 9 games
 • Grabbed season-high 8 rebounds against Savannah State

Dan Robinson
 • Ranks 12th in the MEAC in blocks (0.8)
 • In MEAC games only, ranks 5th in blocks (1.2)

Bryan Gellineau
 • Averaging 11.5 points on 9-of-16 shooting last 2 games and 3.3 rebounds last 6 games
 • Posted career-high 15 points against Savannah State, tying career-best with 5-of-9 shooting and setting career high with 5-of-5 free throw shooting

Conference Streak
This year, NSU secured its 20th straight season with a .500 or better conference record in its Division I era. In fact, in Norfolk State's 63 seasons in either the EIAC, CIAA or the MEAC, the program has had just one losing conference record (9-10 in the CIAA in 1990-91).

NSU is tied with Wisconsin for eighth in the nation for the longest streak of .500-or-better conference records in a row in D-I (See table page 8). NSU has posted 24 straight .500 or better conference records, dating back to that 1990-91 campaign.

Every other team in the MEAC has had at least one losing conference record since 2011-12.