NORFOLK, Va. - The Battle of the Bay finally arrives this Saturday when Norfolk State travels across the water to play at Hampton in MEAC men's basketball action beginning at 6 p.m. at the HU Convocation Center.

Then, on Monday, NSU will play host to ESPNU when the Spartans take on Delaware State beginning at 7 p.m. at Joseph Echols Hall.

NSU enters the game tied for third in the conference standings with Bethune-Cookman and North Carolina Central at 6-3 after winning four straight and five of its past six. Hampton is next in line at 6-4 in the league.

Media Coverage
The games against Hampton and Delaware State 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.

Hampton will have live stats and live video. Fans can watch the game against DSU live on ESPNU as well as through WatchESPN on mobile devices. Fans can also follow along with the live stats for Monday's game.

Series History
Norfolk State and Hampton have split their regular season meetings each of the last two year, with the home team winning each time. That came after one team or the other had swept the season series each of the previous eight years. NSU's most played series, which began in 1958-59, currently favors the Spartans by an 85-46 margin. Hampton has the slight edge in the programs' Division I history, 24-22.

Delaware State had been a team that tortured NSU throughout its Division I history, but lately the Spartans have won five of the last six meetings. The Hornets had won 19 of the previous 23 meetings before Norfolk State's current streak. In a series that began in 1962-63, the Spartans now lead DSU all-time, 32-24.

Scouting Hampton
The Pirates own an 11-14 overall record and a 6-4 mark in the MEAC after Thursday's win at Howard, 95-81, and last Monday's victory at North Carolina Central, 86-70. Hampton is a squad that tallies 79 points per game, thanks in part to Jermaine Marrow. He averages 20.2 points with 4.7 rebounds and 5.8 assists. Malique Trent-Street adds 11.9 points, with Kalin Fisher (11.7), Greg Heckstall (9.4 points, 6.6 rebounds) and Akim Mitchell (7.9 points) also chipping in. Hampton only connects on 32 percent from beyond the arc, but they do shoot 45 percent overall and 78 percent from the free throw line. Hampton has given up almost eight 3-pointers per game. The Pirates hold the rebounding edge at +1.4, although they have not been as strong in conference play there. They also only turn it over on average 13.4 times per game.

Scouting Delaware State
The Hornets have struggled this year, currently the only team without a league win at 0-10 in the MEAC. They sit 2-23 overall, scoring just 63 points per game while giving up 78. Opponents shoot 47 percent overall and nearly 40 percent from 3-point range, making 10.4 treys each time out. The Hornets also lose the turnover (-2.6 per game) and rebounding battles (-2.4) a lot heading into Monday's matchup. DSU, which is off on Saturday, gets double-digit scoring from Simon Okolue (11.2 points, 7.3 rebounds) and Artem Tavakalyn (10.8 points, 5.2 rebounds). Four other players also scored between eight and nine points per game.

Last Time Out
In a game in which the teams combined for 54 fouls and 75 free throw attempts, NSU prevailed by an 83-79 score over Bethune-Cookman last Monday in Daytona Beach, Florida. The Spartans took the lead early in the second half and held it the rest of the way. B-CU got to within two late in the game but could not convert at the end. Preston Bungei led the Spartans with 20 points on 8-of-15 shooting with 11 rebounds. Kyle Williams added 16 points thanks in part to 4-of-6 3-point shooting, and Steven Whitley and Nic Thomas each added 14. Alex Long also tallied 10 points and eight boards to help negate a 30-point, 17-rebound effort from B-CU's Shawntrez Davis, who made 10-of-11 from the floor. The Wildcats made 29-of-41 from the free throw line, while NSU shot 21-of-34. NSU made 42 percent overall, including 8-of-20 from 3-point range, while holding B-CU to 38 percent overall.

Spartan Team Tidbits
 • Over the past seven games, Norfolk State is shooting 46.6 percent overall and 41.4 percent from 3-point range. In the last six games, the opposition has shot 35.6 percent overall and 29.3 from deep.

 • The Spartans have averaged 9.7 fastbreak points the past seven games, and on the season they are outscoring teams 7.0 - 5.6 in fastbreak points per game.

 • Norfolk State has outblocked its past three opponents 12-4

 • NSU is 0-15 this year when opponents shoot at least 40 percent overall, and 3-14 when the opposition scores at least 70 points. The Spartans are also 1-13 when the opponent shoots better from the floor and 0-10 when the opposition shoots better from 3-point range.

 • Norfolk State held the rebounding edge in eight straight games from Jan. 3-29, posting +66 advantage on the glass during that time.

 • In 16 of 24 games this year, the opposition has hit at least eight 3-pointers, including double digits in 13 games.

 • So far this year, Norfolk State has had more fouls than the other team in 18 out of 24 games. Opponents have shot at least 20 free throws each of the last 14 games, including a season-high 41 by Bethune-Cookman on Monday.

 • Norfolk State has been a second half team. They have scored more points in the second half than the first in 18 of 24 games, with a 38.6-32.9 points per half discrepancy (+5.7) 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 17 of 24 games (38.7-35.2, +3.5).

 • The Spartans also have a +1.5 rebounding margin after the break compared to a +0.0 margin before and shoot 44.0 percent in second halves compared to 41.2 in first halves.

 • Seven different players have led NSU in scoring this year: Mastadi Pitt and Nic Thomas (5), Derrik Jamerson Jr. and Alex Long (4), Kyle Williams and Steven Whitley (3) and Preston Bungei (1).

 • The Spartans used five different starting lineups in the first six games and 10 different combinations altogether this season. They've had a different starting 5 in four of the last five games as well.

 • Norfolk State is chasing a pair of school records. The Spartans are currently shooting 36.4 percent from 3-point range, with the school record of 35.7 set in 1998-99. With 188 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.

 • NSU ranks first in the MEAC in field goal percentage defense (42.1) and blocks (3.8), second in 3-point field goal percentage (36.4), third in opponent rebounding (35.9), and fourth in scoring defense (74.5), rebounding margin (+1.5), offensive rebounds (12.2), defensive rebound percentage (70.1), offensive rebound percentage (32.6) and 3-point field goals (7.8).

 • In conference games only, NSU ranks first in the MEAC in field goal percentage defense (37.5) and 3-point field goal percentage (40.2), second in scoring margin (+5.3), 3-point field goal percentage defense (31.0), rebounding (42.2), rebounding margin (+6.4), blocks (4.0), defensive rebounds (29.0), defensive rebound percentage (70.7) and offensive rebound percentage (35.7), and third in scoring defense (71.7).

 • On a national level, NSU stands No. 36 in turnovers forced (15.46), No. 51 in offensive rebounds (12.17), No. 86 in field goal percentage defense (42.1), No. 90 in rebounds (37.38), No. 108 in 3-point field goal percentage (36.4), No. 120 in blocks (3.8), No. 146 in rebound margin (+1.5), and No. 159 in 3-point field goals (7.8).

Player Tidbits
Alex Long
 • Averaging 11.9 points on 38-of-66 shooting with 1.1 blocks last 8 games, and 7.5 rebounds last 6 games
 • Stands 7th in the MEAC in field goal % (54.5), 9th in blocks (0.8), 13th in offensive rebounds (1.8), 15th in rebounding (5.4) and 29th in scoring (10.7)
 • In MEAC games only, ranks 5th in field goal % (60.6), 10th in blocks (0.8), 11th in rebounding (6.8), 12th in offensive rebounds (2.3) and 14th in defensive rebounds (4.4)
 • Ranks 12th in NSU D-I season records in field goal % (54.5)
 • Stands 7th all-time at NSU in blocks (95)
 • Ranks No. 268 in NCAA career records in rebounds (429)

Kyle Williams
 • Averaging 11.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists the last 12 games; Shooting 26-of-56 overall and 16-of-35 from 3-point range the last 7 games
 • Ranks 6th in the MEAC in 3-point field goal % (39.2) and 12th in 3-point field goals (2.0)
 • In MEAC games only, ranks 10th in 3-point field goals (2.3) and 12th in 3-point field goal % (42.0)
 • Stands 13th in NSU D-I season records in 3-point field goal % (39.2)
 • Ranks 10th all-time at NSU in 3-point field goal % (37.4) and 19th in 3-point field goals (89)

Preston Bungei
 • Had 2nd double-double and 2nd 20-point game of career with 20 points and 11 rebounds at Bethune-Cookman, shooting career-high tying 8-of-15; Has 20 rebounds the last 2 gmes
 • Ranks 11th in the MEAC in defensive rebounds (4.4), 12th in blocks (0.8) and 13th in rebounding (5.8)
 • In MEAC games only, ranks 8th in defensive rebounds (5.0) and 12th in rebounding (6.7)

Steven Whitley
 • Averaging 15.8 points on 23-of-48 shooting last 4 games
 • Tallied career-highs of 20 points on 7-of-15 shooting against Morgan State
 • Ranks 1st in the MEAC in steals (1.7), 10th in assists (3.9) and assist-turnover ratio (1.4), 14th in rebounding (5.5) and defensive rebounds (4.2), and 21st in scoring (11.6)
 • In MEAC games only, ranks 10th in assists (3.9) and 12th in assist-turnover ratio (1.5)
 • Stands No. 83 in the nation in steals (1.71), No. 184 in assists (3.9) and No. 250 in double doubles (3)
 • Ranks 7th in NSU D-I season records in assist average (3.92) and 14th in assists (94)

Derrik Jamerson Jr.
 • Averaging 9.6 points last 10 games on 28-of-60 3-point shooting; Also tallying 4.6 rebounds last 7 games
 • Has made a 3-pointer in 11 straight games
 • Grabbed career-high 8 rebounds against Florida A&M
 • Ranks 4th in the MEAC in 3-point field goal % (40.1) and 7th in 3-point field goals (2.3)
 • In MEAC games only, ranks 6th in 3-point field goal % (46.0) and 8th in 3-point field goals (2.6)
 • Stands No. 189 in the nation in 3-point field goals (2.29)
 • Ranks 6th in NSU D-I season records in 3-point field goal % (40.1) and 15th in 3-point field goals (55)

Nic Thomas
 • Averaging 16.8 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.0 assists last 5 games; Shooting 20-of-50 overall, 12-of-27 from 3-point range, and 32-of-37 from the free throw line during that time
 • Tied career high with 3 assists at Bethune-Cookman
 • Tallied 3rd 20-point game of season, all in a 4-game span, with 20 against Morgan State; Hit a career-best 4-of-5 from 3-point range
 • Made 12-of-12 from the free throw line against Florida A&M, one of just three players in the NSU D-I era to have that many makes without a miss
 • Ranks 5th in the MEAC and No. 154 in the nation in free throw % (82.1)
 • In MEAC games only, ranks 5th in free throw % (86.0), 14th in 3-point field goal % (41.5) and 29th in scoring (12.2)
 • Stands 5th in NSU D-I season records in free throw % (82.1)

Stavian Allen
 • Averaging 5.8 points on 11-of-17 shooting and 3.4 rebounds last 5 games

Dan Robinson
 • Has 7 blocks the last 5 games
 • Grabbed season-best 8 rebounds against Florida A&M
 • Ranks 9th in the MEAC in blocks (0.8)
 • In MEAC games only, ranks 2nd in blocks (1.2) and 15th in offensive rebounds (1.9)