TOWSON, Md. – The Norfolk State men's basketball team battled No. 18 Towson on Friday evening, ultimately falling 51-41 at SECU Arena.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Norfolk State held a 26-22 halftime lead, but Towson's defense clamped down in the second half, limiting the Spartans to just 15 points as the Tigers pulled away late.

Devon Ellis and Elijah Jamison paced NSU with eight points each. Anthony McComb III added seven points and grabbed a team-high eight rebounds.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Towson opened the scoring with a pair of free throws before Norfolk State responded with five straight points on an Adrean Newton three-pointer and a Jordan Leaks jumper.

The Spartans surged ahead with a 16-3 run, building a 20-10 advantage midway through the half. Towson closed the gap before the break, but NSU maintained a four-point edge, 26-22, at halftime.

The Tigers carried that momentum into the second half, tying the game at 28-28 with 16:16 remaining. The teams traded baskets over the next stretch, with Towson holding a narrow 40-39 lead entering the final eight minutes.

Towson then strung together an 8-0 run to create separation, extending the margin to 48-39. Ellis scored NSU's final basket at the 1:34 mark, but the Tigers sealed the game with late free throws and a layup.

UP NEXT
Norfolk State returns home to host rival Hampton in the annual Battle of the Bay on Friday, Nov. 21, at Joseph G. Echols Memorial Hall. The women's game tips at 5:30 p.m., followed by the men's matchup at 8 p.m.