NORFOLK, Va. – The Norfolk State men's basketball team extended its win streak to five on Monday night, dominating Delaware State from start to finish in a 97-58 victory. NSU improved to 18-7 on the season, 7-2 in the MEAC.
The 39-point win marked the Spartans' largest-ever margin of victory in a MEAC contest, the previous high also coming against Delaware State in a 93-58 result on Feb. 12, 2017.
Kris Bankston racked up highlight play after highlight play, scoring a game-high 22 points while recording a career-best six blocks. The graduate senior shot 9-of-11 (81.8 percent) from the floor, going 4-of-4 from the free throw line.
Bankston wasn't the only player who couldn't miss from the charity stripe. The Spartans made 23-of-24 free throw attempts on Saturday (95.8 percent), their second-best mark in program history (min. 15 attempts). The only game more efficient was also under head coach
Robert Jones, when the Spartans shot 24-of-25 (96.0 percent) at Morgan State on Mar. 5, 2020.
Joe Bryant Jr. continued his hot stretch, scoring 19 points and making all seven of his free throw attempts.
Cahiem Brown spread the wealth with 10 points and six assists of the bench, while
Terrance Jones added a career-high 13 points.
Norfolk State jumped out to an early 16-6 lead, fueled by 3-pointers from Jones and
Tyrese Jenkins.
Dana Tate Jr. got to the rim for a strong score with a foul, completing the and-one to extend the advantage to 14.
Bryant and Bankston traded step-back 3-pointers and two-handed dunks, respectively, before
Daryl Anderson got in on the action with a deep ball over an outstretched defender's hands. The Spartans went to the break ahead by 17.
Norfolk State turned on the jets in the second half, with Bankston hitting a turnaround jump shot to put his team up 23 points. The forward added two jaw-dropping slams soon after, including a windmill dunk in the lane to get the crowd on its feet.
Jack Doumbia kept the audience's interest, utilizing multiple dribble moves for a spectacular and-one score.
George Beale Jr. hit a deep three ball, while Jones caught fire to score eight points in the final five minutes of play.
The Spartans outscored the Hornets in nearly every category on Saturday, including points in the paint (48-22), points off turnovers (36-19), fast break points (21-14), and bench points (30-28).
Norfolk State's 97 points marked its highest total against a MEAC opponent since scoring 99 at Howard on Mar. 6, 2016.
The Spartans return to Echols Hall on Saturday, Feb. 18 to face Morgan State for Greek Night and Alumni Weekend at 4 p.m. NSU will be hungry for revenge, falling 77-71 in the foes' first meeting.
