The Norfolk State Spartans (15-8, 5-1) beats Delaware State (10-12, 3-3) in the last seconds of the game 65-64. Graduate Student Tyrel Bladen hit the game-winning shot with 2.5 seconds left to give the Spartans the lead. This extends the Spartans win streak to 5 games.
“Once again, you know, gritty, hard-fought conference game.” Head Coach Robert Jones said in his thoughts on the game. “This is what you expect from your conference play. We didn’t want it to be that hard fought but hey, it is what it is. I’m happy we came out on top”
This exhilarating game in Echols Hall started off with the Spartans having the majority of the momentum. The Spartans started the game leading 16-4 with 12 minutes left in the first half. The Spartan effectively ran Man-to-Man defense well throughout the first half leading to 5 forced turnovers, and they also held the Hornets under single digits until 8:10 left in the First half. Then the Hornets came alive with an 8-0 run bringing the game to within striking distance. Coach Robert Jones preaches consistency and that’s something the Spartans have struggled with defensively in conference play so far.
“I think is two sided one showing that we can do it, you know, but then the next question is why are we not doing all 40 minutes?” Coach Jones said on the Spartans defense. “You know, so that means it’s a lack of focus on where it is. So, it’s my job to try to fix the lack of focus, one way or the other, so with that being said, it’s like you see what kind of team you can be defensively, and then like I said you have a guy walk into the lane for a layup or you have a guy with a wide open three. So you know we just got to get better but right now you know I’m happy where we are”.
Going into halftime the Spartans lead was cut down to only one point making it 29-28 at half. With the momentum being shifted into the Hornets favor they took their first lead of the game with 18:25 left in the second half. The Spartans and the Hornets went back and forth there were 8 lead changes and 5 ties alone in the second half.
The back-and-forth motion of the game eventually got the Spartans down 60-59 with 2:49 left in the game. Delaware State’s Martez Robinson strikes first with a driving layup good for 2. He finished with 13 points and 7 rebounds. In the next possession Jamarii Thomas came down drove into the lane and was fouled on his shot attempt. He went down in visible pain with a cramp in his left calf. He was able to get up and knocked down 2 free throws to bring the game within 1, and checked out for a short period to be medically checked by the staff.
Allen Betrand checked in for Jamarii Thomas. After a Delaware State Turnover Jamarii Thomas checked back into the game. After a Betrand miss and a Chris Field rebound Jamarii Thomas knocks down a jumper to give the Spartans the lead 63-62. Leading scorer Jamarii Thomas has struggled the last 2 games only notching 7 points against Coppin State and 14 points against Morgan State.
“I told him you know I need I needed my killer back you know, for lack lack of a better word.” Coach Jones says on what he told Jamarii Thomas about his lack of production. “You know, I told him that to shoot when he is open but also you better pass it when somebody is open, but at the same time you keep passing up shots too so today, he did a little bit of both, I mean he didn’t have as many assist like the last couple games, but you know, he had a good flow game and he made some threes and things like that. So, credit to him for stepping up to the, to the challenge.” Jamarii Thomas finished with 25 points 3 assists, and 2 steals.
Delaware State’s Deywilk Tavarez comes down and converts a driving layup with 13 seconds left to give the Hornets the 64-63 lead. Deywilk Tavarez finished the game with 20 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 assist. Down 64-63 with 13.7 seconds left, Christian Ings went coast to coast for a driving layup but he missed after being hit in the lane very hard, which was not deemed a foul. Chris Fields Jr. rebounds the ball takes it into the lane and misses a fadeaway jumper, but Tyrel Bladen tips the miss shot in for 2 points and gives the Spartans the lead for the win 65-64. Tyrel Bladen finished with 10 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals.
“I mean, it was great.” Tyrel Bladen says on his game winner. “I mean definitely exhilarating. Us as basketball players, we love those moments. It’s like the credit to my guy Chris Fields getting that rebound and it don’t happen without that rebound and it just makes me proud to be part of this team, And it’s showing me that like certain guys are starting to step up with hustle plays just being more physical, Especially when we need it”.
The Spartans will travel north to Princess Anne MD, to face The University of Maryland Eastern Shore Eagles on Monday, February 5, 2024, at 8 pm.
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