NORFOLK, Va. – One of the most highly anticipated in-state showdowns in the Division I history of Echols Hall looms this weekend when Norfolk State faces off against James Madison.
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The Spartans (2-0) will welcome JMU (1-0) to Echols Hall for the first time ever at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 9. The matchup will mark just the fifth meeting between the schools, and the first in Norfolk State's home territory.
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Norfolk State cruised to a pair of victories to open the season against Penn State Wilkes-Barre (96-41) and Virginia University of Lynchburg (104-60). JMU took care of business in its home opener, defeating Ohio 88-78 at Atlantic Union Bank Center.
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Although the all-time series remains tied 2-2, Norfolk State has come out on top in the last two meetings with JMU, both during head coach
Robert Jones' tenure. The teams last clashed to open the 2020-21 season, as J.J. Matthews posted an 18-point, 11-rebound double-double in an 83-73 Spartan victory.
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Saturday's game will air live on WNSB 91.1 FM, featuring Ross Gordon and Woube Gebre on the call.
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LAST TIME OUT
- Norfolk State conquered Virginia Lynchburg 104-60 on Wednesday at Echols Hall behind a historically efficient performance from Brian Moore Jr.
- Moore led the Spartans with 26 points on a 9-of-10 shooting day, converting all six of his 3-point attempts
- Moore became just the second player in NSU history to make six or more 3-pointers in a game without a miss – Derrik Jamerson Jr. went 7-of-7 on 3-pointers against North Carolina Central on Feb. 16, 2019
- Sophomore Dramane Camara led the Spartans' on the glass with a career-high 10 rebounds
- Norfolk State's 15 made 3-pointers tied for the third-most in a single game in program history, the most since making 15 against Delaware Stat on Jan. 30, 2021
SERIES HISTORY
- Norfolk State and JMU remain tied 2-2 in the all-time series
- Norfolk State has won its last two matchups with JMU, both during head coach Robert Jones' tenure
- J.J. Matthews posted an 18-point, 11-rebound double-double in an 83-73 Spartan victory during the last meeting between the schools (Nov. 27, 2020)
DUKES SCOUT
- JMU took down Ohio 88-78 to open the season on Monday
- Xavier Brown led the Dukes with 23 points, adding six rebounds and three steals
- Elijah Hutchins-Everett led JMU on the glass with eight rebounds to go with 13 points
- Redshirt senior guard Mark Freeman earned Preseason All-Sun Belt First Team honors, while Xavier Brown landed on the second team
- JMU finished second in the 2024 Sun Belt Conference Preseason Coaches Poll, behind only Arkansas State