NORFOLK, Va. – Norfolk State guard
Christian Ings pulled out all the theatrics in his return from the flu on Saturday, scoring 21 points to lead the Spartans to a 92-69 blowout win over Coppin State.
Brian Moore Jr. added 19 points for Norfolk State (12-7, 3-0 MEAC) on a 7-of-7 shooting day, while
Jalen Myers tallied 18 points and eight rebounds. NSU shot 61.8 percent from the floor against the Eagles (2-15, 1-2), the team's most efficient offensive performance of the season.
Ings scored five of Norfolk State's first seven points, hitting a tough layup and a 3-pointer. The Spartans jumped out to a quick 9-2 lead, stifling the Eagles with a strong defensive effort.
Jonathan Dunn hit a 3-pointer before Peter Oduro scored at the rim to pull Coppin State within one. Baskets from Ings,
Sin'Cere McMahon, and
Kuluel Mading within a span of a few possessions helped the Spartans regain control on the scoreboard.
A pair of triples from Coppin State guard Julius Ellerbe III helped the Eagles claw their way back into the ballgame. Moore connected from deep soon after, though, before an and-one layup from Ings pushed the gap to double digits.
The Spartans began to pile up momentum, getting into the paint at will. NSU held a 14-point advantage when Elerbe III exited the game with a flagrant foul, sparking another Spartan burst. Norfolk State ended the half on a blazing run, capped off by Moore's one-footed 3-pointer at the horn, sending NSU to the break with a 53-32 lead.
Myers got the Spartans going in the second half, hitting a mid-range jumper before logging a putback dunk a couple of minutes later. Mading added a two-handed slam on the Spartans' next possession.
The Spartans made it three dunks in a row moments later, saving the best for last. Ings stole the ball from a driving Eagle, took the ball from end-to-end in a blur, before soaring above an opposing defender for a rim-rocking jam with his off-hand.
The play sent Echols Hall into pandemonium as both the crowd and Spartan bench erupted in excitement. On the scoreboard, the sequence put Norfolk State ahead 63-41 with no signs of slowing down.
Ings scored his final points of the night with over 12 minutes to play, pulling up for a cold-blooded 3-pointer.
Chris Fields Jr. fought through multiple defenders moments later, scoring the basket with a foul for an old fashioned 3-point play.
Dramane Camara got in on the action late in the game, knocking down a shot from the top of the key. Moore scored the last points of the evening for the Spartans, putting the final touches on the dominant conference victory.
Checking The Box Score
- Christian Ings led the Spartans with 19 points and four assists, shooting 7-of-10 from the floor
- Brian Moore Jr. added 19 points on a 7-of-7 shooting day to go with four assists
- Jalen Myers posted 18 points and eight rebounds, while Kuluel Mading tallied 12 points on a 6-of-7 shooting performance
- Norfolk State shot 34-of-55 from the floor (61.8 percent), shooting 65.5 percent in the first half
- The Spartans outscored Coppin State 48-34 in the paint
- Norfolk State never trailed on Saturday
News & Notes
- Norfolk State improved to 12-7 with the win, 3-0 in MEAC play
- Coppin State dropped to 2-15 with the loss, 1-2 in the MEAC
- Norfolk State now leads the all-time series with CSU 43-15
- NSU has now won nine of its last 10 matchups with Coppin State
- Norfolk State shot 34-of-55 from the floor (61.8 percent), the Spartans' most efficient offensive performance of the season
UP NEXT
Norfolk State hits the road to face Morgan State on Monday, Jan. 13 at 7:30 p.m., looking to remain undefeated in conference play.
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