WACO, Texas – The Norfolk State men's basketball team dropped its midweek road matchup at Foster Pavilion, falling 97–67 to the Baylor Bears on Wednesday night. The Spartans move to 4–7 on the season, while Baylor improves to 7–2.
Anthony McComb III and Elijah Jamison powered the Spartan offense, combining for 38 points with 19 each. McComb went an impressive 11-of-12 at the free throw line and led NSU on the glass with six rebounds. Jamison added five boards of his own, shooting 6-of-15 from the floor, 2-of-2 from beyond the arc, and 5-of-6 at the stripe.
Devon Ellis and Jordan Leaks also reached double figures with 10 points apiece, with Leaks adding a team-high four steals.
The Spartans finished the night shooting 38.3 percent (23-of-60) from the field, 25.0 percent (3-of-12) from 3-point range, and 69.2 percent (18-of-26) at the free throw line.
Norfolk State struck first on a putback by Keyontae Lewis, but Baylor quickly responded with an 11–2 run to take early control. NSU countered with a 10–4 surge punctuated by a deep Elijah Jamison three and a fadeaway from Ellis to pull within one, 15–14. A Jaquel Morris dunk off a feed from Adrean Newton again trimmed the deficit to 17–16, but Baylor answered with a 13–6 push of its own.
Back-to-back steals by Leaks helped NSU stay within striking distance at 30–23, and baskets by Jamison and Leaks later cut the margin to 33–27. However, a late 14–4 Baylor run sent the Spartans into halftime trailing 47–31.
The Bears extended their momentum into the second half, opening on a 13–7 run to stretch the lead to 60–38. NSU responded with a six-point burst, an Ellis jumper and four McComb free throws, to make it 62–48, but Baylor followed with a decisive 28–3 run that pushed the margin near 40 with under five minutes to go.
Norfolk State closed the game strong with a 16–7 run, but the early second-half surge proved too much to overcome as Baylor sealed the 97–67 final.
UP NEXT
The Spartans will have a week to regroup before heading to Atlanta, Ga., for the 2025 Chris Paul HBCU Challenge.
NSU will face Grambling State on Dec. 18 and Jackson State on Dec. 19, with both games tipping at 7:30 p.m. on ESPNU.
