NORFOLK, Va. (Courtesy of NSU Athletics) – Norfolk State forward Tyrel Bladen has enjoyed quite a stretch during Norfolk State’s three-game homestand at Echols Hall.
Bladen scored in double-figures twice last weekend, including a career-high 17-point showing against Morgan State on an 8-of-10 shooting performance. The graduate forward hit one of the most important shots of his career on Saturday, tipping in a missed layup in the game’s final seconds to lift NSU over Delaware State, 65-64.
The basket gave Bladen 10 points and five rebounds for the night, his third straight game in double-figures. Junior guard Jamarii Thomas willed the Spartans offensively on Saturday despite twisting his ankle in the final minutes, tallying 25 points and three assists.
Jaylani Darden tallied 10 points for the Spartans, while Chris Fields Jr. contributed four points and six rebounds off the bench.
Thomas got the game going with a quick 3-pointer, as the Spartans raced out to a 9-2 lead with several easy paint scores. Darden knocked down a 3-pointer, before jumpers by Bladen and Thomas gave the Spartans a quick double-digit advantage.
An 8-0 run from the Hornets cut the gap to two, but back-to-back 3-pointers by Thomas gave the Spartans some comfort once again. Delaware State continued to attack from there however, narrowing the Spartan lead to 29-28 at the half with a string of tough baskets.
Christian Ings found Bladen for a two-handed slam to start the second half, but Delaware State’s Jevin Muniz knocked down a 3-pointer just a couple of minutes later to give the Hornets their first lead of the afternoon.
The teams traded baskets from there, flip flopping on the scoreboard repeatedly. Saturday’s game featured eight lead changes and five ties, all coming in the second half.
Kuluel Mading put the Spartans ahead 44-39 with a thunderous dunk, but back-to-back Hornet 3-pointers switched the momentum to the visiting side. A 3-pointer from Martaz Robinson put DSU ahead 58-52 with six minutes remaining, the Hornets’ largest lead of the day.
The Spartans remained close but couldn’t get back in control for nearly five minutes, until Jamarii Thomas scored in the paint to give Norfolk State a 63-62 lead with 40 seconds remaining.
Delaware State guard Deywilk Tavarez gave the Hornets a one-point advantage with a layup late in the shot clock on the ensuing possession. The Spartans chose not to call timeout, pushing the ball down the floor.
Ings couldn’t get a contact layup to fall, before Fields missed a second chance effort as well. Bladen finally cleaned things up, tipping in the second attempt for the game-winning basket with 2.5 seconds left on the clock.
Checking The Box Score
- Jamarii Thomas led the Spartans with 25 points, shooting 9-of-10 from the free throw line
- Tyrel Bladen and Jaylani Darden also scored in double-figures for NSU, each recording 10 points.
- Kuluel Mading added eight points, seven rebounds, and two blocks
- Deywilk Tavarez led Delaware State with 20 points
News & Notes
- Norfolk State improved to 15-8 with the win, 5-1 in MEAC play
- The Spartans are now on a five-game win streak
- Delaware State dropped to 10-12, 3-2 in conference action
- Norfolk State now leads the all-time series between the schools 47-24
- The Spartans have won the last 16 matchups against Delaware State
- Less than a week after recording a career-high 17 points against Morgan State, Tyrel Bladen scored the game-winning basket on Saturday with 2.5 seconds remaining.
- Two of Norfolk State’s last four wins have come after trailing in the final minute of play
UP NEXT
After playing three consecutive home games, the Spartans will hit the road to face Maryland Eastern Shore on Monday night at 8 p.m. Norfolk State has come away victorious from the last 10 meetings with the Hawks.
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