MD Eastern defeats Norfolk St 70-74

MD Eastern Edges Norfolk St in Thrilling Conference Showdown

Last night, at the raucous Joseph G. Echols Hall, Norfolk State hosted Maryland Eastern Shore (MD Eastern) in a high-stakes conference matchup that will be remembered for its dramatic finish. The visiting Eagles ultimately emerged victorious, 74-70.

The game was a back-and-forth affair from the opening tip, with both teams displaying tenacious defensive prowess. As the clock ticked down to halftime, MD Eastern found itself clinging to a narrow lead of 31-32, courtesy of standout shooting guard Zion Obanla's 12 points in the half. Norfolk State, however, refused to be silenced.

In the second half, Elijah Jamison spearheaded an impressive comeback effort for the Spartans, pouring in 15 points and chipping in six assists to keep his team within striking distance. The visitors' relentless pressure and timely defense limited MD Eastern's offense to just a few easy baskets, narrowing the deficit back down to five points.

With just minutes remaining on the clock, Obanla led an aggressive push by MD Eastern that ultimately proved decisive. Trailing 68-69 with under two minutes left, Obanla hit consecutive jumpers to put his team up for good at 71-69. The Spartans never looked back, as their defense held strong against a desperate Eagles offense in the final seconds.

Obanla's game-high 20 points were punctuated by seven field goals, including four from beyond the arc, all while displaying his usual high level of intensity and athleticism on both ends of the floor. Despite his remarkable display, Obanla was held to just one steal in the win.

For MD Eastern, Zion Obanla led in scoring with 20 points.

Norfolk State's Elijah Jamison led all scorers with 15 points, while Keyontae Lewis chipped in with a strong effort off the bench, recording 13 points and five rebounds in his first significant minutes of the game. The Spartans' balanced attack contributed to their success on both ends, as they shot 46.0% from the field, 54.3% from inside the arc, and 23.0% from beyond the arc.

Despite falling short, Norfolk State's Elijah Jamison led all scorers with 15 points, while Keyontae Lewis chipped in with 13 points and five rebounds.

The Eagles' victory marked their first conference win of the season, as they now boast a crucial statement win over a ranked opponent.