STONY BROOK, N.Y. - The Norfolk State men's basketball team will play its last non-conference game of the regular season, and end a long stretch on the road, on Sunday at Stony Brook. Tip-off is set for noon between the Spartans and Seawolves at Island Federal Credit Union Arena.

It will mark the last contest of a 12-game stretch, 11 of which have come away from Norfolk. MEAC play begins next weekend for the Spartans on their home court.

Media Coverage
The game will be shown live on ESPN3, available through the ESPN app. Fans can also follow along with the live stats.

Series History
This will mark the fourth-ever meeting between the two teams, all in the last three years. The Spartans won the first meeting at Stony Brook two years ago, 74-68. Last year, the Seawolves got revenge twice, winning 72-65 in the Hall of Fame Tip-Off Tournament in Connecticut and then 79-73 at NSU's Joseph Echols Hall 10 days later.

Scouting the Opponent
Stony Brook enters the game with an 8-6 overall record, most recently posting a three-point victory at American last Saturday. Before that, the Seawolves had dropped three straight, albeit by just eight points at Hofstra, four at Providence and by 12 at No. 9 Virginia.

The Seawolves make nine 3-pointers per game on 35 percent shooting while averaging 69 points per game. The opposition, however, shoots 36.5 percent from deep while averaging nine treys per contest. Teams have only shot 39 percent overall against Stony Brook. The Seawolves are +3.8 in rebound margin and block five and a half shots per game. They do, however, turn the ball over 15 times per game and are -2.5 in turnover margin.

Three players score in double figures, led by Elijah Olaniyi at 18.7 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. Makale Foreman averages 14.2 points, and he and Olaniyi have combined for 74 3-pointers. Andrew Garcia contributes 12.0 points and 6.3 rebounds. Miles Latimer adds 7.7 points, while Mouhamadou Gueye (7.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.5 blocks) and Jeff Otchere (6.2 rebounds, 2.0 blocks) do their work down low.

Last Time Out
The Spartans took part in the Boardwalk Battle in Atlantic City last weekend, topping Bowling Green in overtime on the first day, 72-67. NSU fell short in capturing the tournament title when Drexel earned a 53-49 slugfest win on the second day.

Steven Whitley scored 13 points against the Dragons after tallying 16 points and five boards the day before, shooting a combined 13-of-22. Kashaun Hicks scored 13 against BGSU, helping the Spartans rally from 11 down with less than four minutes to go to force the extra session. Joe Bryant Jr. scored 10 points versus the Falcons and then 17 in the loss to Drexel.

The Spartans fell despite holding the Dragons to 32 percent shooting. NSU made just one 3-pointer that game after sinking 11 the day, and the team was -7 on the glass in each of the two games. The Spartans did, however, outscore their two opponents 37-20 in points off turnovers.

Recent Trends
 • NSU has outscored opponents in fastbreak points in four of the last five games, while opponents have outscored NSU in second-chance points in four of the last five. The Spartans have also scored 37 points off turnovers the last two games.
 • They are outscoring teams in every specialty stat category: points off turnovers (18.8-14.8), second-chance points (9.3-8.4), points in the paint (28.6-25.1), fastbreak points (12.6-9.7), and bench points (23.7-18.5).
 • They have been below 40 percent shooting in five of the last six games. But the Spartans have shot 76.6 percent (59-of-77) from the free throw line during that time.
• The Spartans have had at least 14 turnovers in 8 of the last 10 games.
 • The guard foursome of Bishop, Bryant, Whitley and Carter have combined for 34 of the team's 40 double-digit scoring performances this year.
 • In 10 of the Spartans' 14 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 11 of 14 games this season (+3.5 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 (64.4) and field goal % defense (39.8). They are also second in scoring margin (+2.9), 3-point field goal % defense (29.7), rebounding margin (+1.4), defensive rebound % (71.5), and offensive rebound % (30.9), and third in assists (12.6), offensive rebounds (11.2), steals (8.3), turnover margin (+1.29), assist-turnover ratio (0.9), and 3-pointers (7.0).

National Rankings
On a national level, Norfolk State stands No. 59 in 3-point field goal % defense (29.7), No. 60 in turnovers forced (16.21), No. 62 in steals (8.3), No. 79 in field goal % defense (39.8), No. 83 in scoring defense (64.4), No. 116 in offensive rebounds (11.21), and No. 127 in turnover margin (+1.4).

Player Facts
Steven Whitley
 • Averaging 12.5 points (41-of-86) last 8 games
 • Ranks 8th all-time at NSU in assist average (4.12), 10th in assists (334) and 17th in steals (124)
 • Stands 5th in the MEAC in assists (3.2), 7th in assist-turnover ratio (1.0), 12th in steals (1.4), 15th in field goal % (43.7) and 17th in scoring (10.6)
 • In NCAA D-I active career leaders, ranks No. 29 in steals (148), No. 40 in assists (371), No. 65 in games played (112) and No. 128 in rebounds (483)

Jermaine Bishop
 • Averaging 4.4 rebounds last 7 games
 • Tied season high with 6 assists vs Bowling Green
 • Ranks 3rd in the MEAC in 3-point field goals (2.4), 7th in minutes (32.1), 9th in 3-point field goal % (35.1), and 11th in scoring (12.1) and assists (2.5)
 • Stands No. 155 in the nation in 3-point field goals (2.36)

Joe Bryant Jr.
 • Averaging 12.0 points last 4 games played
 • Tied career high by hitting 6-of-6 from the free throw line against Bowling Green
 • Scored 17 points in career-high 37 minutes versus Drexel
 • Has made 30 of his first 31 free throws of the season
 • Ranks 1st in the MEAC in free throw % (96.8), 8th in steals (1.5), 11th in 3-point field goals (1.5), 12th in 3-point field goal % (33.9), and 13th in scoring (11.8)
 • Stands No. 234 in the nation in steals (1.54)

Devante Carter
 • Shooting 16-of-25 last 4 games
 • Ranks 1st in the MEAC in field goal % (56.0), 4th in steals (2.0), 5th in assist-turnover ratio (1.2), 6th in assists (3.0), 13th in defensive rebounds (4.0), 15th in rebounding (5.0), and 24th in scoring (9.8)
 • Stands 60th in the nation in steals (2.00)

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

Chris Ford
 • Tied career high with 3 blocks vs. Drexel
 • Ranks 3rd in the MEAC in blocks (1.4)
 • Stands No. 104 in the nation in blocks (1.43)

Kashaun Hicks
 • Ranks 3rd in the MEAC in 3-point field goal % (43.3)
 • Tied career high by hitting 3 3-pointers vs. Bowling Green, scoring season-best 13 points

Kyonze Chavis
 • Tied career high with 2 steals versus Drexel

Spirit Ricks
 • Added career-high 2 assists against Bowling Green

Efstratios Kalogerias
 • Had career highs of 2 3-pointers and 2 assists vs. Bowling Green

Tyrese Jenkins
 • Scored career-high 6 points against Drexel