NORFOLK, Va. – The Norfolk State men's basketball team (9-3) continues its December road slate Tuesday with a non-conference matchup at the University of New Mexico. Tip-off at The Pit is at 9 p.m. ET.

The contest will air on Lobo TV (www.golobos.com/watch).

NSU is in the midst of a five-game road swing during the month of December. The month began with a win over UNCW on Dec. 1 that ran the Spartans' record to 9-1, best in NSU and the MEAC's Division I history. The Spartans then dropped a 58-57 decision at Hampton on a buzzer-beater on Dec. 4, then fell 71-58 at Wichita State on Dec. 11 in their last time out. Sunday's scheduled game at Loyola Chicago was canceled due to COVID issues within the Loyola program.

The Spartans got a career-high 22 points and eight rebounds from Dana Tate Jr. at Wichita. Christian Ings added 11 points and Kris Bankston had 10.

New Mexico is 6-6 on the year but has dropped two straight after a 90-72 loss to SMU on Sunday. Jamal Mashburn Jr., son of the former NBA player, led the Lobos with 25 points.

NSU-UNM Tip-Ins 

• The Spartans have five players averaging at least 9.0 points per game this year: Joe Bryant Jr. (14.0), Bankston (11.5), Ings (10.8), Jalen Hawkins (9.6) and Tate (9.3). Six different players have led NSU in scoring this season. 
• NSU enters this week ranked 16th in the country in field-goal percentage defense, allowing opponents to his 37.4 percent from the floor. The Spartans also rank in the top 25 in the country in free throws made and attempted and total rebounds. 
• Within the MEAC, NSU ranks first among conference teams in scoring defense, field goal defense and 3-point defense. 
• According to sports information office research, Bankston ranks among the NCAA top 10 in slam dunks this season, averaging 2.3 per game (26 in 12 games). The high-flying forward who transferred from Little Rock is shooting 77.3 percent from the floor, which would lead the country if he had two more made field goals to qualify for the national statistics. 
• NSU has never faced New Mexico before. 
• The Lobos average 80.5 points per game, led by Mashburn (18.8) and Jaelen House (16.6).
• UNM ranks second nationally in free throws made, third in attempts and 17th in blocked shots.
• UNM was picked in an eighth-place tie with Wyoming in the preseason Mountain West Conference poll.