DOVER, Del. – Norfolk State forward Jalen Myers recorded 20 points and eight rebounds to lead the Spartans (11-7, 2-0 MEAC) past Delaware State (7-9, 0-2), 73-64, on Monday evening.
Jaylani Darden, a Norfolk native, came just one board shy of his first career double-double in the victory. The senior guard finished the contest with 12 points, nine rebounds, six assists and three steals in a complete performance.
Coming off the bench, Sin’Cere McMahon logged 15 crucial points for the visiting team, rounding out Norfolk State’s double-figure scorers.
Both teams started slow on the offensive end. The game’s first made basket, a 3-pointer by Delaware State’s Robert Smith, took over two and a half minutes to occur.
Darden scored the Spartans first five points of the afternoon, getting to the rim in bunches. McMahon knocked down a 3-pointer soon after, giving NSU an early 8-5 advantage.
Delaware State tied the game on a pair of layups from Muneer Newton a few minutes later, but Chris Fields Jr. hit a quick jumper after checking in to put the Spartans back in front. After DSU retook the lead soon after, McMahon and Myers hit 3-pointers within a short span to flip the scoreboard.
Darden, who led the Spartans with six assists on Saturday against UMES, continued to facilitate efficiently. The senior logged four dimes in the first half, leading to several dunks in transition as Norfolk State began to expand the gap.
With starting point guard Christian Ings out for Monday’s matchup, Norfolk State leaned on its bench for minutes in the backcourt. Sophomore Dramane Camara stepped up to the occasion with several big baskets, including a 3-pointer to send NSU to halftime with a 42-30 lead.
Delaware State came out of the break firing, scoring the first six points of the second half. Darden helped the Spartans get back on track, though, converting through traffic for an and-one layup.
The Hornets continued to chip away at the deficit, but Myers contributed several baskets to break up the home team’s momentum. A Newton slam pulled Delaware State within four points with under nine minutes to play, but Darden responded at the other end with a comfortable bucket.
The field goal set off a 6-0 run for the Spartans to regain control of the game. Norfolk State came up with several key steals down the stretch, forcing five turnovers in the final five minutes of the victory.
Checking The Box Score
- Jalen Myers led Norfolk State with 20 points and nine rebounds, shooting 9-of-13 from the floor
- Jaylani Darden came one board away from his first career double-double, recording 12 points, nine rebounds, six assists, and three steals
- Sin’Cere McMahon added 15 points off the bench, shooting 9-of-10 from the free throw line
- Norfolk State shot 53.1 percent from the floor in the first half (17-of-32), going 9-of-24 (37.5 percent) in the second period
- NSU outscored DSU 40-26 in the paint
- Norfolk State’s bench accounted for 33 points, while DSU’s bench tallied 10 points
- NSU recorded 22 points off turnovers, holding DSU to just six
News & Notes
- Norfolk State improved to 11-7 with the win, 2-0 in MEAC play
- DSU dropped to 7-9 with the loss, 0-2 in the MEAC
- Norfolk State now leads the all-time series with DSU 48-25
- NSU has won 17 of its last 18 matchups against Delaware State
UP NEXT
Norfolk State returns home to face Coppin State on Saturday, Jan. 11 at 4 p.m., before heading to Baltimore for a meeting with Morgan State two days later.
Source: Norfolk State Athletics/nsuspartans.com