The Norfolk State Spartans (17-9, 7-2) beat The North Carolina Central Eagles (13-11, 5-4) 80-74. The Spartans went from shooting 21.4% in the first half to shooting 70% in the second half.

“A couple of spirited conversations.” Head Coach Robert Jones said about his conversation with the team at halftime.

The Spartans started the game with a turnover and four missed shots before Christian Ings knocked down a floater to give the Spartans their first bucket. With the Spartans shots not falling in the 1st half, they depended on getting to the line to keep the game close. They shot 15-20, 75% from the line in the first half. Jamarii Thomas one of the best free throw shooters in the country helped the Spartans in the first half by making 6 free throws, giving him 8 points by half. He finished with 28 points 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals.

The Spartans mostly stayed in man-to-man defense in the first half which proved no eval, the Eagles shot at a 44% clip in the first half putting them in the driver’s seat at halftime leading 30-26.

The Spartans started the second half with a 7-0 run, and the Eagles came back and hit 2 threes, beginning the back-and-forth nature the Spartans have become accustomed to in conference play.

“Im very proud of those guys for the second half, the way we talked about playing first half I guess no one was listening because we didn’t play worth a damn in the first half.” Coach Jones said. “But second half we played the right way. For the most part. Change the defense up a little bit. Did some different things with zone a little bit to kind of throw him off the rhythm that they had in the first half they whole first half we never had to lead the whole first half from the jump ball, you know, to the end of the clock maybe like the whole first half.”

Down the stretch, the Spartans Jack Doumbia steps up with an amazing block and slam dunk. The Eagles commit a travel, and the Spartans get the ball back. With 1 minute Jamarii Thomas passed to Allen Betrand for a nice layup, then Fred Cleveland Jr. for NCCU came down and hit a clutch 3 to silence the crowd putting the Score at 74-74.

After a missed shot from the Spartans Kuluel Mading hits a clutch mid-range from the free throw line, and NCCU missed their chance with 14.2 seconds left NSU gained possession leading 76-74.

“So second half was able to make some adjustments and you know, these guys stepped up from offensive standpoint and a couple of the guys stepped up you know.” Coach Jones said. “Jack Doumbia, Kuluel Mading had a solid game. You know, that was a big free throw jumps shot that he made because I almost screamed at him because I didn’t understand why he didn’t go dunk it. I didn’t have no idea why he didn’t go dunk it but he made the shot. So everybody’s all happy.”

Kuluel Mading finished with 13 points and 2 rebounds. The Spartans hit 2 sets of clutch free throws to extend their lead and come out on top 80-74. The Spartans will be back in action on Saturday, February 24, 2024, in Baltimore, MD against Coppin State at 4pm.