RALEIGH, N.C. – The Norfolk State men's basketball team battled for 40 minutes against No. 1 seed Florida on Friday night, falling 95-69 at the Lenovo Center to conclude the team's 2024-25 campaign.
 
After a slow start, the Spartans (24-11, 11-3 MEAC) outscored Florida (31-4, 14-4 SEC) 50-44 in the game's final 24 minutes. Christian Ings and Jaylani Darden ended their collegiate careers in impression fashion, posting 16 points and 15 points, respectively, to pace Norfolk State.
 
Florida guard Walter Clayton Jr. led the Gators with 23 points, knocking down four 3-pointers. Norfolk State outscored Florida 48-36 in the paint but couldn't keep up with the Gators' 10 triples.
 
Claydon proved why he earned First Team All-America honors from the opening tip, knocking down a pull-up 3-pointer with ease on the game's first possession. Darden scored inside for the Spartans' first points of the night, but Florida responded with multiple baskets to take an early 13-2 lead.
 
Florida continued to pour in points, showing off one of the top offensive units in the nation. The Gators knocked down seven 3-pointers in the first half, shooting 10-of-10 from the free throw line as well.
 
Alijah Martin made another shot from behind the arc to push Florida ahead 38-14, converting inside shortly after. A pair of free throws with under five minutes remaining put the Gators up 53-21, their largest advantage of the night.
 
Norfolk State settled down following the final media timeout of the first half. Darden fought through contact for an and-one layup on the fast break, giving the Spartans some life.
 
Fields continued the positive swing, scoring in transition on a pass from Fields. Ings scored again inside, as the contingent of Spartan fanse in the arena began to proclaim its presence.
 
Ings converted at the rim again, before Fields tallied two more points in the paint to send NSU to the break trailing 53-32. The Spartans closed the first half on an 11-0 run, holding Florida scoreless for the final three minutes of the period.
 
Norfolk State looked much more poised the rest of the night, going back-and-forth with the Gators. Ings knocked down a jumper and Moore got to the basket for his first score of the game, pulling NSU within 20 points for the first time since the 9:54 mark of the opening half.
 
Florida steadied itself with an and-one layup from Alex Condon, but Fields responded with another tough bucket at the other end. Darden continued his terrific night, scoring inside before using a crafty move to set up a mid-range jumper.
 
Darden's shot pulled Norfolk State within 18, but Condon banked in a 3-pointer to extinguish the Spartans' momentum with 9:06 left to play. Will Richardson knocked down three free throws, expanding the gap to 23.
 
Florida gained an 89-61 advantage when Richardson hit another 3-pointer, answered at the other end by a layup from Moore. The basket marked the final made field goal of Moore's terrific senior season.
 
Jalen Myers hit a 3-pointer to close Norfolk State's tournament, giving him eight points for the night.