NORFOLK, Va. – Norfolk State looks to take its home winning streak to another level on Saturday afternoon, as NSU faces the Howard Bison. With a victory, the Spartans will have racked up 20 consecutive home wins – their last loss at Echols Hall coming against Coppin State on Feb. 8, 2021.
 
Coming off wins UMES and Delaware State to open conference play, NSU (12-5, 2-0 MEAC) owns the best overall record among MEAC teams thus far for the 2022-23 season. Saturday's matchup with the Bison (8-10, 1-1) is slated for a 4 p.m. tip, streamed on HBCU League Pass+ and broadcast on WNSB 91.1 FM.
 
Last Time Out
 
Joe Bryant Jr. scored 19 of his 20 points in the second half on Monday, putting away the opposing Delaware State Hornets in the final stretch as Norfolk State earned a 78-65 road victory.
 
Playing just the second MEAC contest of his young career, freshman George Beale Jr. scored a career high 19 points against the Hornets, making 5-of-6 attempts from behind the arc.
 
NSU not only took advantage of its chances from deep, but made the most of frequent trips to the charity stripe as well. The Spartans went 23-of-26 from the free throw line (88.5 percent), knocking down 20 in the second half for the closing touch.
 
Scouting the Bison
 
After starting the season 4-8, Howard has started to find success in the last few weeks, winning four of its last six games. The Bison opened MEAC play with an 84-64 win against Delaware State, but dropped a road bout with Maryland Eastern Shore 82-73 on Monday.
Howard is led by a pair of local talents to the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, Elijah Hawkins and Steve Settle III. Both players average double figures scoring this season, with Settle adding 6.3 rebounds per contest as well.
 
The Bison don't waste trips to the charity stripe either, shooting 72.9 percent from the free throw line, the same mark as the Spartans to lead the conference.
 
All-Time Series/Last Meeting
 
Norfolk State has dominated the all-time series between the foes, owning a 50-11 record against the Bison dating all the way back to the 1967-68 season. The Spartans won the first 11 matchups of the series, building another 10-game win streak against Howard from 2009-15.
 
The Spartans have won their last five matchups with the Bison and 11 of the last 12. During these five most recent battles, NSU averages a 13.8-point margin of victory.
 
NSU capped off a stellar regular season last year with an 83-61 blowout win over Howard at Echols Hall. Joe Bryant Jr. led the Spartans with 27 points, knocking down five 3-pointers and pulling down six rebounds.