image via Hannah Vernon
Courtesy of Alex Lehmbeck, Assistant Athletics Director for Sports Communication
UNCASVILLE, Conn. – Norfolk State senior Brian Moore Jr. produced a 20-point, 10-rebound double-double on Friday evening, helping Norfolk State stave off a fierce comeback from Grambling State.
The Spartans (8-6) earned a 76-70 victory over the Tigers (2-9) at Mohegan Sun Arena, closing out their time at the HBCU Chris Paul Classic. With the win, Norfolk State improved to 6-0 in Chris Paul events, dating back to the 2021-22 season.
Christian Ings put together a quiet but nearly flawless performance statistically, scoring 13 points on a 6-of-6 shooting day with two assists and no turnovers.
Much like the evening prior against Alabama State, NSU took control of the game early vs. Grambling. Hook shots from Kuluel Mading and Moore got the Spartans going, before Ings knocked down a 3-pointer before the first media timeout.
Mading enjoyed a particularly hot start. The 6-11 forward added a jump shot before a rim-rocking dunk, pushing Norfolk State ahead 13-6.
Moore made his first 3-pointer of the day midway through the first half, before Sin’Cere McMahon converted all three free throw attempts on a foul behind the arc a minute later. Providing a boost off the bench, Tyrel Bladengave NSU a 28-18 advantage with a two-handed slam inside the paint.
Ings kept the dunk party going, soaring over a trailing defender and finishing with his off hand on the fast break. Moore got an and-one opportunity soon after, muscling his way to the rim after securing an offensive rebound.
Dramane Camara got in on the action, knocking down a 3-pointer in the final minutes of the first half. Norfolk State went to the locker room with a 47-33 lead.
Grambling State began to claw its way back early in the second half, starting with several inside scores to cut the gap to 11. Mading helped the Spartans gain some breathing room with a timely 3-pointer from the top of the key a few minutes later.
Norfolk State pushed the lead back to 19 points with an efficient run, capped off by strong layups from Moore and Chris Fields Jr.
Grambling State made back a large chunk of the deficit in a matter of moments. After scoring in the paint, the Tigers immediately got the ball back and nailed a corner 3-pointer. A foul under the basket retained possession for GSU, leading to another pair of points to complete a seven-point swing in the span of 27 seconds.
The Tigers pulled within seven after several more inside scores, before Moore got a layup to fall on the fast break. Grambling State continued to attack the basket, drawing fouls and knocking down free throws to eventually come within two points, 66-64, with under five minutes remaining.
The score stayed there for several possessions as neither team budged defensively, until GSU forward tied the game with a short jumper. Jalen Myers responded right back, though, knocking down an open 3-pointer to put Norfolk State ahead 69-66.
Grambling State scored at the rim to pull within two a couple of possessions later. The Spartans came up empty on their next trip down the floor, allowing the Tigers the opportunity to tie or take the lead with under one minute remaining.
In the most important moment of the game, Norfolk State’s defense came up clutch. The Spartans forced a contested 3-pointer which clanged off the rim, resulting in a defensive rebound to and free throws down the stretch to put the game out of reach.
Checking The Box Score
- Brian Moore Jr. led the Spartans with a 20-point, 10-rebound double-double
- Christian Ings scored 13 points with two assists and zero turnovers, shooting 6-of-6 from the field
- Kuluel Mading also reached double figures, scoring 10 points
- Norfolk State shot 6-of-15 from behind the arc (40.0 percent), while holding Grambling State to a 5-of-21 clip (23.8 percent)
- Norfolk State recorded 20 fast break points, while Grambling State tallied seven
- NSU never trailed, holding the lead for 38 minutes, and 21 seconds
News & Notes
- Friday marked the fourth-ever meeting between the Norfolk State and Grambling State men’s basketball programs
- Norfolk State improved to 8-6 with the win
- Grambling State dropped to 2-9 with the loss
- NSU now leads the all-time series between the schools 3-1
- Brian Moore Jr. was named the game’s Most Valuable Player for the second straight night
- Moore became the first Spartan to record a double-double since Kris Bankston achieved the feat against Coppin State on Mar. 9, 2023
UP NEXT
Norfolk State receives a brief holiday break, before travelling south to face High Point at 2 p.m. on Dec. 29.
