BALTIMORE, Md. – It might not have come easily, but the Norfolk State Spartans did on Saturday what they have found a way to do all year: got the job done.
 
Norfolk State received some late-game heroics from guards Tyrese Jenkins and Allen Betrand, pulling off a 68-66 victory at Coppin State at Physical Education Complex Arena.
 
Jenkins led the Spartans with 21 points, tying the career high he set at Delaware State during the 2020-21 season. He made 7-of-10 attempts from behind the arc on Saturday, the most 3-pointers made in a single game by a Norfolk State player since Joe Bryant Jr. drained seven triples against North Carolina Central on Mar. 11, 2021.
 
Jenkins knocked down a game-tying 3-pointer with under 40 seconds remaining in regulation, before Betrand knocked down the game winning free throws with seven seconds left on the clock.
 
Norfolk State controlled the game early, thanks to Jenkins' limitless range. The Richmond, Va. native scored NSU's first 12 points of the afternoon, draining four 3-pointers in just over four minutes of action.
 
Jenkins found Jack Doumbia for a two-handed slam, before the former knocked down another 3-pointer to put the Spartans ahead 20-6. Betrand got in on the 3-point barrage, giving Norfolk State a 16-point lead.
 
Coppin State fought back before halftime, however, chipping away at the deficit. Back-to-back triples from Malik Battle helped the Eagles cut the gap to six at the half.
 
Ings began the second half with a fastbreak slam, after a steal from Tyrel Bladen and a behind-the-back pass from Jamarii Thomas. Ings scored in the paint again moments later.
 
Battle knocked down a 3-pointer to pull CSU within four, but back-to-back 3-pointers from Thomas and Jenkins – followed by a subsequent mid-range jumper from Bladen --  gave Norfolk State a 12-point advantage.
 
Nyzaiah Chambers contributed back-to-back scores for the Spartans as the half bypassed its midway point, but Coppin State earned several trips to the free throw line in short order to claw its way back.
 
Both teams began to trade scores late in the game, as the matchup turned into a seesaw battle. Chris Fields Jr. and Thomas provided crucial baskets, including an and-one shot by the former.
 
Battle continued to hurt the Spartans from deep, knocking a 3-point shot with under a minute remaining to give Coppin State a 66-63 advantage.
 
Desperately requiring an answer, Norfolk State turned to the hot hand. Betrand found an open Jenkins in the corner, who drained the huge shot to tie things up.
 
Coppin State let the shot clock dwindle, coming up empty handed thanks to a strong contest and rebound from the freshman Fields. Recognizing a transition opportunity, the Spartans pushed the ball down the floor, forcing the Eagles to foul Betrand with seven seconds left on the clock.
 
With Betrand shooting 84.5 percent from the charity stripe this season, the game stood in the right player's hands. The Philadelphia product casually drilled both shots, despite a timeout in between attempts.
 
The Spartans needed one final defensive stand – not an issue for the strongest defensive unit in the MEAC. Coppin failed to get a shot up in the final seconds as the Spartans earned their third straight victory.
 
Checking The Box Score

• Tyrese Jenkins led the Spartans with 21 points, tying his career-high. He also added three rebounds, three assists, and two steals
• Jenkins knocked down seven 3-pointers, accounting for all 21 of his points. His final triple tied the game at 66 with under 40 seconds remaining in regulation.
• Allen Betrand knocked down the game-winning free throws with nine seconds on the clock
• Malik Battle led Coppin State with 27 points off the bench, shooting 6-of-10 from behind the arc
• Chris Fields Jr. (13) and Jamari Thomas (12), also scored in double figures for the Spartans

 
News & Notes

• Norfolk State improved to 18-9 with the win, 8-2 in MEAC play
• The Spartans remain two games ahead of North Carolina Central, Howard, and South Carolina State in the MEAC standings, all three in a tie for second
• Coppin State dropped to 2-22 on the season, 1-9 in conference action
• Norfolk State now leads the all-time series between the programs 41-15
• Tyrese Jenkins became the first Spartan to make seven 3-pointers in a single game since Joe Bryant Jr. achieved the feat in the 2021 MEAC Tournament Semifinals against North Carolina Central

 
UP NEXT
 
Norfolk State closes out its Baltimore road trip on Monday evening ay 7:30 p.m., facing Morgan State at the Hill Field House.
 
For complete coverage of Norfolk State Athletics, please follow the Spartans on social media at @nsuspartans (Twitter), /NorfolkStateAthletics (Facebook), @NSUAthletics (Instagram), @nsuathletics (YouTube) or visit the official home of Norfolk State Athletics at nsuspartans.com.