The Norfolk State Spartans (21-10, 11-3) blew past The Howard University Bison (15-16, 9-5) 77-58.

“That was a great win for the seniors.” Head Coach Robert Jones said. “You know, you want to send your seniors out the right way and forget about all the ESPN and all the rest of stuff that’s on the line. You want to send your seniors out the right way. It’s the last time they’re gonna play in this building. Not gonna be the last time they play, but the last time in this building, so we want to send them out the right way.”

The Spartans started off the game struggling, letting Howard get up 14-4 by the first media timeout. The Spartans fought back with a 10-2 run lasting 3 minutes and 49 seconds.

“The conversation was just the play better, we started off awful.” Coach Jones said. “I know obviously we started a lineup that we don’t traditionally start by any means, but you know, senior night so you gotta do the right thing for your seniors and everything like that. But that clearly wasn’t a good lineup, you know, because they ran up on us, you know, but then once we kind of settled in and got back into our normal rotation We were able to get control of the game and then we just held on for the rest of the game.”

After trading buckets, the Spartans went on an 11-3 run for 6 minutes and 5 seconds to end the half leading 29-26.

The second half started with some injuries for the Bison. Two players Dom Campbell and Bryce Harris ran into each other, and both started bleeding from the head. This caused close to a 5-minute stoppage. Both players came back in the game after receiving medical attention

After these injuries, Howard pulled together a 10-4 run for 3 minutes and 21 seconds bringing the game to within one 46-45.

The Spartans fought back ending the game with a 19-7 run for 4 minutes and 23 seconds shooting 11-12 from the floor. Allen Betrand hit 2 back to back three-pointers. Betrand finished with 13 points and 1 assist. Chris Fields Jr. scored 7 points during this run and finished with 13 points and 2 rebounds only playing 8 minutes total in the game.

“It’s good for that for that kid, man.” Coach Jones said. “I’m sure he’ll make all-rookie team If he doesn’t it’ll be a travesty, you know, but he’s a kid man thats physically, he’s a grown man. You know, I mean, he’s 6’7, 240 You know, like, so you could throw him in physical games. Now, can he handle like always making the right play yet? He’s still learning, you know, I mean, but the one thing he can do, he has a knack for scoring, you know, so he can score the basketball and he figured out a way to score the basketball. With him is still learning the defense as time goes on. He’s gotten a lot better at the beginning a year, hence why he’s closing games now instead of before, not even being a thought to close the game.”

The Spartans will be back in action from March 13 to March 16 for the MEAC Basketball tournament at Norfolk Scope Arena opponent and time TBD.