Norfolk St defeats Jackson St 72-82
Norfolk St Edges Jackson St in Thrilling Toyota Chris Paul HBCU Classic Showdown
The Gateway Center witnessed an intense, back-and-forth affair on Saturday night as the visiting Norfolk State Spartans (82) outlasted their hosts, the Jackson State Tigers (72), in a non-conference matchup that saw both teams give it their all.
Trailing 29-42 at halftime, Norfolk State made significant adjustments to turn the tide of the game. The Spartans' second-half surge was fueled by the sharpshooting of Elijah Jamison, who connected on five-of-five three-point attempts (80% FG) for a season-high 30 points. His accuracy proved pivotal as Norfolk State took control, with the Tigers unable to regain their composure.
On the other side of the floor, Daeshun Ruffin led the charge for Jackson State with a strong performance, scoring 25 points on three-of-six three-point attempts (50.0% FG). Jayme Mitchell Jr., who grabbed six rebounds and chipped in with 19 points, was also instrumental in his team's bid to stay within striking distance.
Despite Norfolk State's impressive shooting display, the Spartans' defense played a crucial role in securing their hard-fought victory. The team's ability to contain Jackson State's offense allowed them to stay ahead and ultimately claim the win by ten points.
Key Takeaways
Norfolk State's Elijah Jamison was instrumental in his team's second-half resurgence with five three-point makes, contributing significantly to their 10-point advantage over Jackson State.
Jackson State Daeshun Ruffin led his team with 25 points on three-of-six three-point attempts (50.0% FG), but it wasn't enough to overcome the Spartans' strong shooting display.
Game Summary
The final margin of victory for Norfolk State was ten points, marking a turning point in the game where they took control and never looked back.
Jackson St had their largest lead at 4 with just under four minutes remaining in the second half but were unable to maintain it. The team's performance against both the two-point and three-point line would prove pivotal in determining the outcome of this highly competitive matchup.
The Norfolk State Spartans proved that they are a force to be reckoned with, showcasing their shooting prowess on the road and earning themselves a crucial win against Jackson State.
As the Toyota Chris Paul HBCU Classic continues, fans will surely be eager to see how both teams respond to this hard-fought loss.