image via Nick Sutton
79
V-L
136
Winner Norf
| Team | 1 | 2 | F |
|---|---|---|---|
| V-L | 41 | 38 | 79 |
| Norf | 66 | 70 | 136 |
The Norfolk State men’s basketball team raised the bar on Tuesday night, setting a new Division I era program record for points in a game with a 136-79 victory over Virginia University of Lynchburg at Echols Memorial Hall.
Inside the Box Score
Sophomore forward Melo Baines delivered a flawless performance, going a perfect 15-of-15 from the field on his way to a career-high 30 points, surpassing his previous best by 14. Anthony McComb III added a career-high 26 points, shooting 9-of-14 overall and 4-of-7 from beyond the arc.
Elijah Jamison notched NSU’s first double-double of the season with 17 points and 11 assists, while Devon Ellis poured in 20 points and Dian Wright-Fordechipped in 16.
As a team, the Spartans shot an impressive 69% (58-84) from the floor and 82.4% (14-17) at the free-throw line.
How It Happened
Norfolk State stormed out of the gates, as Jamison opened the scoring and Baines established an immediate presence on the offensive glass with multiple early putbacks. Ellis added fastbreak finishes, including a highlight-reel dunk, as the Spartans turned defensive stops into transition buckets.
VUL knocked down a few perimeter shots to keep the deficit manageable early, but NSU’s depth quickly shifted the momentum. McComb ignited a mid-half surge with two threes and consecutive scores, while contributions from Lewis, Deeng, and Reid pushed the lead into double digits. A closing run built on turnovers and transition scoring sent NSU into halftime firmly in control.
The Spartans wasted no time extending their lead in the second half, opening on a 10–2 run with threes from McComb and strong drives from Baines and Jamison. Their fast-paced attack continued to overwhelm the Dragons, with NSU topping 80 points before the first media timeout.
Norfolk State’s bench kept the pressure on, Morris threw down multiple dunks, Wright-Forde scored at all three levels, and Reid and Lewis added transition baskets. As the turnovers mounted for VUL, NSU’s lead ballooned past 40, highlighted by explosive plays from McComb, Ellis, and Baines. The Spartans crossed the 100-point mark with over 10 minutes remaining and never looked back.
Closing the game with emphatic finishes from Morris and Baines, Norfolk State secured a dominant wire-to-wire victory and its highest offensive output of the Division I era.
Up Next
Norfolk State begins a stretch of 10 straight road games, traveling to Tucson, Ariz., to face the Arizona Wildcats on Saturday, Nov. 29. Tipoff is set for 4 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
