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Norfolk State erases double-digit deficit to record program milestone win

BY HBCU SPORTS

Robert-jones-NSU
Norfolk State head basketball coach Robert Jones. / Photo: Norfolk State Athletics

Norfolk State junior Jamarii Thomas buried a go-ahead 3-pointer in the final seconds to complete a 15-point second-half comeback and give its head coach a milestone win Saturday night over Howard.

The Spartans defeated the Bison 65-61 at Burr Gymnasium, collecting head coach Robert Jones’ 200th career victory in the process.

Jamarii Thomas and Allen Betrand led Norfolk State (12-8, 2-1 MEAC) with 14 points each, both shooting 5-of-11 from the field and both recording four rebounds as well. Christian Ings also scored in double figures.

The historic milestone came in a familiar location for Jones, who earned his 100th career victory in a 24-point comeback effort against Howard at Burr Gymnasium on Feb. 2, 2019.

“For a guy that never really dreamed of coaching basketball growing up, to get 200 wins is amazing,” Jones said. “It’s a testament to everybody here, especially my staff. I thank Marty Miller all the time for giving me the opportunity, and of course, AD Melody Webb and Dr. Javauane Adams-Gaston from there. Thank you.”

Howard got on the board first, producing a steal for a fast break slam at the other end. Daryl Anderson responded right back, knocking down a 3-pointer for a quick lead change.

The Bison took advantage of several Norfolk State turnovers, taking a 12-5 lead within a few minutes of the opening tip. An inside score from Jaylani Darden, followed by Betrand’s 3-pointer soon after, helped the Spartans cut the deficit to three.

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Howard’s Bryce Harris registered a dunk and corner 3-pointer to get the Bison crowd on its feet, but Thomas knocked down a mid-range jumper to get the Spartans back in rhythm.

Christian Ings came alive late in the first half after the Bison hovered around a double-figure lead. The graduate guard knocked down a crucial 3-pointer to half a Howard run before ending the half with a steal and thunderous dunk in the closing seconds.

Harris continued to give the Spartans trouble in the second half, adding another 3-pointer and dunk to push Howard ahead 41-26. Darden followed up a miss for a successful tip-in before Ings earned a trip to the free throw line for two more points soon after.

The Spartans took advantage of the open window. Darden knocked down a much-needed 3-pointer before Tyrel Bladen contributed another second-chance score, cutting the deficit to six with the Spartans on a 9-0 run.

Howard came up with a pair of timely shots to briefly regain control, but Chris Fields Jr. and Allen Betrand answered with back-to-back 3-pointers. Howard called timeout, but it didn’t slow down the Spartans, as Betrand produced a steal-and-dunk right away to get NSU within one possession.

But as the Spartans chipped away, Howard frequently knocked down 3-pointers to move Norfolk State a few steps back. The Bison eventually regained a double-digit lead.

The Spartans kept fighting. Trailing by nine with under five minutes remaining, Bertrand earned an old-fashioned three-point play. Thomas converted two shots from the foul line soon after before finding Bladen for an open layup.

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The score suddenly brought the Spartans within two, but Howard’s Seth Towns gathered an offensive rebound for a two-handed dunk to give the Bison some breathing room.

Desperately needing someone to make a play, the Spartans turned to their top scorer. Thomas pulled up from the top of the key, sinking the 3-pointer to bring Norfolk State within one.

After Howard scored at the other end, Chris Fields Jr. put back a Spartan miss for another crucial score. He made a free throw to tie things up on the team’s next offensive possession.

Norfolk State forced a Bison turnover, giving the Spartans a chance to take the lead with under 30 seconds remaining. Thomas stepped up to the moment, draining a 3-pointer with confidence to give NSU its first lead since the game’s first minute.

Howard couldn’t answer at the other end, missing a contested shot. Ings sealed the game with a free throw moments later as the Spartans closed out Jones’ milestone victory in thrilling fashion.

Courtesy: Norfolk State Athletics 

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