ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. - The Spartans will play a pair of games in Atlantic City before heading off for a break. Up first, the Norfolk State men's basketball team takes on Bowling Green at 7 p.m. on Friday as part of the Boardwalk Battle at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall.

Then on Saturday, NSU faces either Drexel or Quinnipiac to close things out before the Christmas break. The consolation game will take place at 2 p.m., followed by the championship game at 4:30.

The Spartans are in the midst of a six-game swing away from home, part of a larger stretch in which they play 11-of-12 outside of Norfolk. They are looking to break an eight-game losing streak.

Media Coverage
Fans can follow along with the live stats through Drexel's StatBroadcast.com site.

Series History
This will mark the third time NSU has faced Bowling Green. The Falcons won both matchups in a home-and-home, 86-77 in Bowling Green, Ohio during the 2016-17 season and then again a year later at Joseph Echols Hall. BGSU earned a 92-77 victory in that meeting.

The Spartans have never faced Quinnipiac. Their only meeting with Drexel was a 61-56 win over the Dragons on Nov. 18, 2011 in the Paradise Jam.

Scouting the Opponents
Bowling Green stands 8-2 on the year, with its only losses coming against LSU and Nevada. The Falcons' biggest win was an overtime triumph against Cincinnati. They come into the tournament averaging 78 points per game despite modest shooting numbers (43 percent from the field, 34 percent from deep).

The team's leading scorer is Justin Turner at 19.0 points with 5.8 rebounds, but he's missed the last four games due to injury. Dylan Frye (14.4 points) and Daeqwon Plowden (12.7 points, 7.0 rebounds) are two more names to look out for. Trey Diggs (9.5 points) and Caleb Fields (7.9) also add to the offense.

BGSU makes eight 3-pointers per game and is +3.2 in rebounding and +3.7 in turnover margin, forcing nearly 15 per game while only giving it away 11 times.

Drexel owns a 5-6 record heading into its game on Friday against Quinnipiac. The Dragons do have a common opponent with NSU, having defeated Niagara by eight earlier in the season. Zach Walton (13.8 points), James Butler (13.3 points, 11.2 rebounds) and Camren Wynter (11.7 points) lead the way for a team that scores 71 per game and is shooting 36 percent from deep, 45 percent overall. They do, however, turn the ball over nearly 18 times per game, owning a turnover margin of -4.9.

Quinnipiac carries a 4-4 record, including two losses by a combined three points. The Bobcats also shoot well: 36 percent from deep, 45 percent overall, and 76 percent from the foul line. Rich Kelly is one name to look out for, as he averages 17.9 points per game. Tyrese Williams (10.8 points), Kevin Marfo (9.8 points, 13.0 rebounds) and Matt Balanc (9.0 points) also score for a team that has only played 10 players all season. Seven of those 10 players average at least seven points per game.

Last Time Out
Up by just three at the half, Loyola Chicago pulled away late in the second for a 64-45 win over the Spartans last Sunday at Gentile Arena in the Windy City. NSU twice tied the score early in the second half, and it was down by just three with seven minutes to go. The Ramblers outscored the Spartans 20-4 over those last seven minutes of the game.

Loyola shot 62 percent in the second half after making just 28 percent in the first. The Spartans made just 38 percent for the game, including just 6-of-23 from deep. Devante Carter added 12 points, eight rebounds, four assists and two steals, leading the team in all four categories. Joe Bryant Jr. added 11 points and four assists as well.

The Ramblers got 21 points from Tate Hall, all in the second half. Cameron Krutwig added 14 poitns, 11 rebounds and six assists, and Jalen Pipkins also contributed 14 points. They became the first team to make at least 60 percent from the field in a half since they also did it a year ago at home against NSU.

Recent Trends
 • NSU is averaging 10.0 second-chance points the last 5 games. They are outscoring teams in every specialty stat category: points off turnovers (18.8-15.8), second-chance points (9.3-8.2), points in the paint (29-3-24.7), fastbreak points (12.8-9.9), and bench points (24.2-18.8).
 • In the last four games, the opposition has shot 117-of-260 (45.0 percent).
 • The Spartans have had at least 14 turnovers in 7 of the last 8 games, including a season-high 24 at Loyola Chicago
 • The guard foursome of Bishop, Bryant, Whitley and Carter have combined for 29 of the team's 34 double-digit scoring performances this year.
 • In 8 of the Spartans' 12 games this year, they have scored the same amount or more points in the second half than the first. They did the same in 28 of 36 games last year, when they averaged 8.1 points more in second halves than first halves.
 • They have also had the same amount or more fouls than the opposition in 10 of 12 games this season (+3.8 in fouls per game). They did the same in 26 of 36 games last year (+2.2).

MEAC Rankings
The Spartans rank 1st in the MEAC in scoring defense (65.1), scoring margin (+3.2), field goal % defense (40.4), opponent rebounding (34.2), defensive rebound % (73.4), and assists (12.8). They are also second in rebounding margin (+2.8), 3-point field goal % defense (30.6), offensive rebound % (31.5), and assist-turnover ratio (0.9), and third in offensive rebounds (11.5), steals (8.4), and 3-pointers (7.2).

National Rankings
On a national level, Norfolk State stands No. 61 in steals (8.4), No. 66 in turnovers forced (16.33), No. 93 in 3-point field goal % defense (30.6), No. 98 in offensive rebounds (11.50), No. 100 in scoring defense (65.1), No. 110 in field goal % defense (40.4), No. 135 in rebound margin (+2.8), No. 136 in turnover margin (+1.3), and No. 148 in rebounds (37.08).

Good from 3
Norfolk State has made a 3-pointer in 330 straight games, dating back to a contest at South Carolina State on Jan. 25, 2010, when NSU finished 0-of-17 from 3-point range.

Player Facts
Steven Whitley
 • Averaging 11.8 points (28-of-64), 3.8 assists and 1.8 steals last 6 games
 • Ranks 7th all-time at NSU in assist average (4.18), 10th in assists (330) and 17th in steals (124)
 • Stands 4th in the MEAC in assists (3.4), 7th in steals (1.7), 8th in assist-turnover ratio (1.1) and 22nd in scoring (9.9)
 • Ranks No. 175 in the nation in steals (1.67) and No. 243 in assists (3.4)
 • In NCAA D-I active career leaders, ranks No. 29 in steals (148), No. 40 in assists (367), No. 80 in games played (110) and No. 128 in rebounds (475)

Jermaine Bishop
 • Averaging 5.0 rebounds last 5 games
 • Ranks 2nd in the MEAC in 3-point field goals (2.5), 7th in scoring (13.1), 6th in 3-point field goal % (37.5), 8th in minutes (32.0), and 11th in assists (2.3)
 • Stands No. 93 in the nation in 3-point field goal % (37.5) and No. 118 in 3-point field goals (2.50)

Joe Bryant Jr.
 • Has made 21 of his first 22 free throws of the season
 • Tallied career-high 4 assists at Loyola Chicago
 • Ranks 4th in the MEAC in 3-point field goal % (40.0), 9th in steals (1.5) and 3-point field goals (1.8), and 12th in scoring (11.5)
 • Stands No. 228 in the nation in steals (1.55)

Devante Carter
 • Averaging 11.3 points on 14-of-22 shooting and 5.7 rebounds last 3 games
 • Grabbed career-best 8 rebounds in career-high tying 36 minutes at Loyola Chicago
 • Ranks 1st in the MEAC in field goal % (55.7), 3rd in steals (2.0), 7th in assist-turnover ratio (1.2) and assists (3.2), 12th in defensive rebounds (4.2), 14th in rebounding (5.2), and 16th in scoring (10.3)
 • Stands 66th in the nation in steals (2.00)

Yoro Sidibe
 • Ranks 8th in the MEAC in offensive rebounds (1.9)

Chris Ford
 • Averaging 4.6 points on 9-of-13 shooting last 5 games
 • Ranks 4th in the MEAC in blocks (1.3)
 • Stands No. 124 in the nation in blocks (1.33)

Kyonze Chavis
 • Averaging 5.0 points on 6-of-13 shooting last 3 games played

Spirit Ricks
 • Had career-high tying 5 rebounds at Loyola Chicago