DOVER, Del. (Courtesy of Norfolk State Athletics) – Delaware State earned its first victory over the Norfolk State men’s basketball in over eight years Saturday afternoon, defeating the Spartans 85-71 at Memorial Hall.
Allen Betrand led the Spartans (19-10, 10-3 MEAC) with 15 points, shooting 6-of-11 from the floor. Jamarii Thomas also scored in double figures, tallying 14 points and six rebounds.
Delaware State received a 31-point, 10-assist effort from Deywilk Tavarez, a new career high for the freshman guard. Four Hornets scored in double figures: Tavarez, Martaz Robinson (16 points), Jevin Muniz (16), and Cameron Stitt.
The Hornets opened the game quickly, getting five immediate points from Muniz. Thomas knocked down a 3-pointer to give the Spartans a boost of energy, but Delaware State took an early 9-4 lead into the first media timeout.
Kuluel Mading got NSU going with back-to-back paint scores, but forward Wesley Oba poured in the next seven points for the Hornets. That figure would have gone to nine, but Mading vanquished a fastbreak dunk attempt with a chasedown block.
The Hornets took a 23-14 lead with a 6-0 run late in the first half, forcing a Norfolk State timeout to regroup. But the Hornets kept the pressure going, converting repeat opportunities from long range to close the period on a 25-10 run.
Delaware State led 48-25 going into the break, the second-largest halftime deficit Norfolk State had faced the entire season.
Jaylani Darden opened the second half with a layup in transition, knocking down a pair of free throws a minute later. The Spartans continued to attack the basket but struggled to get shots to fall from behind the arc.
Nyzaiah Chambers finally made the first 3-pointer of the second half for the Spartans, who began to gather some momentum after trailing by as much as 27. Thomas drained another triple moments later, after a terrific offensive rebound by Darden kept the possession alive.
Norfolk State kept fighting, pulling within 20 at multiple points, but Delaware State continued to make tough shot after tough shot. The Hornets kept the Spartans from making a threatening comeback effort, closing out their sixth win of conference play.
Checking The Box Score
- Allen Betrand led the Spartans with 15 points, while Jamarii Thomas contributed 14 points and six rebounds
- Freshman guard Deywilk Tavarez led Delaware State with a 31-point, 10-assts double-double.
- Delaware State shot 30-of-56 (53.6 percent) from the floor and 10-of-22 (45.5 percent) from behind the arc
- NSU shot 26-of-59 (44.1 percent) from the floor, and 7-of-26 (26.9 percent) from behind the arc
- Both teams scored 32 points in the paint
- Over half (38) of Norfolk State’s points came from its bench on Saturday
News & Notes
- Norfolk State dropped to 19-10 with the loss, 9-3 in MEAC play
- The Spartans now hold a one-game lead in the MEAC standings over North Carolina Central, Howard, and South Carolina State
- Delaware State improved to 13-15 on the season, 6-6 in conference action
- Norfolk State now leads the all-time series between the programs 47-25
- The result marked Delaware State’s first win over NSU since Feb. 20, 2016