NORFOLK, Va. – The Norfolk State men's basketball team will look to continue the momentum that they have after a pair of MEAC wins last weekend when they travel to Baltimore, Md. for a pair of conference contests. The Spartans first visit Coppin State on Saturday at 4 p.m. inside the Physical Education Complex Arena before traveling around the city for an evening game at Morgan State from Hill Field House at 7:30 p.m.
NSU (17-5, 8-1 MEAC) returned from a 12-day scheduled break with two wins over conference opponents. Last Saturday,
Jalen Hawkins nearly had a double-double with 16 points and nine rebounds in a home win from Echols Hall over Maryland-Eastern Shore, 70-63. On Monday, the Spartans traveled north to Dover, Del. for a contest at Delaware State. The Spartans came away with a 69-60 win lead by
Dana Tate Jr.'s 20 points.
Both Coppin State (5-19, 4-5 MEAC) and Morgan State (8-12, 3-5 MEAC) are in the middle of the conference standings heading into the weekend. The Eagles are coming off a 77-74 home loss to N.C. Central on Monday while the Bears won their MEAC game on Monday against S.C. State, 76-66.
The Spartans currently have the best record among scholarship level programs, that include NCAA Division I and II, in the state. This also marks the best start in program history since the 1995-96 team started 18-4 during its Division II days in the CIAA.
NSU vs. CSU/MSU Tip-Ins
- Senior Joe Bryant Jr. remains atop the MEAC in scoring average with 16.2 points per game. Bryant also leads the MEAC (third nationally) with a 93.4 percent free-throw percentage and free-throws made (99), fourth in minutes and assists.
- Bryant scored his 1,000th career point against MDES on Saturday. He currently has 1,017 heading into the weekend.
- Tate scored all 20 of his points in the second half in the come from behind win over DSU on Monday. It was his second 20-point game of the season, the first being a 22-point performance at Wichita State on Dec. 11.
- Nendah Tarke leads CSU with 314 total points, with Tyree Corbett scoring 312 and leads with 13.6 ppg.
- The 58 points scored by the Eagles against S.C. State was the lowest since a 68-52 loss to Virginia on Nov. 19. CSU has been held below 60 points on five occasions this season.
- The Bears knocked down seven three-pointers in both games last weekend. They also knocked down the same number (25) field goals in both games.
- De'Torrion Ware leads MSU in scoring with 215 points this season, while average 10.8 points per game, second best on the team.
