Indiana State Tops NSU in 1st Round of Paradise Jam, 70-61

ST. THOMAS, V.I. – Indiana State hit 10 3-pointers on the way to a 70-61 victory over the Norfolk State men’s basketball team on Friday night during the first round of the Paradise Jam at the Sports & Fitness Center on the campus of the University of the Virgin Islands.

The Sycamores committed just six turnovers and held NSU to 34.0 percent shooting on the night. The Spartans were unable to capitalize on their huge edge in rebounding, 47-30, including a 16-8 mark in offensive boards.

Seniors Charles Oliver and D’Shon Taylor led the Spartans, with Oliver finishing with 16 points and seven boards. Taylor added 15 points on 5-of-9 shooting and 11 rebounds for his fourth career double-double. Sophomore Jordan Butler tallied seven points, 10 rebounds and seven blocks for the Spartans (1-2). He finished one block short of the school record of eight but did tie the Division I record held by Kyle O’Quinn.

Indiana State (2-1) was led by Brenton Scott with 16 points and Matt Van Scyoc with 14 points and seven boards. Van Scyoc made 5-of-7 from the field, including 3-of-4 from the 3-point line. 

The Spartans will move on to face Ohio at 4 p.m. EST on Saturday in the next round.

Daniel and Miller Combine For 56 in a Romp over Medgar Evers

Washington, D.C.—James “J-Byrd” Daniel poured in a season-high 35 points and backcourt mate James “JT” Miller added 21 to lead Howard University to a 106-64 win over Medgar Evers College in a non-conference men’s basketball game at Burr Gymnasium.  

It was the first win of the season for the Bison (1-2) and their home opener.

Daniel, a 5-11 sophomore guard, came into the game averaging almost 26 points per game and it did not take the sharpshooter long to get going.  Daniel hit 7 of his first 11 shots, including 3 for 5 from beyond the arc and a perfect 9 for 9 from the free throw line en route to 26 first half points.

Miller, his 6-5 junior backcourt mate, was equally effective as he hit on 7 of 10 from the field for 18 points.

Howard shot 60 percent from the floor, outrebounded the Cougars, 49-32 and held a huge 46-18 advantage in the paint.

The Cougars were led Maurice Swaby, III who led his team with 17 and Matthew Lee who contributed 15.

The Bison will face Texas Southern on Monday in the Men Speak Up Event in Las Vegas at 12:30 p.m.

Darden and Johnson lead Pirates over Appalachian State

HAMPTON, Va.—Senior guards Brian Darden and Reginald Johnson made sure the Hampton University men’s basketball team had a successful home opener Friday night, as the Pirates upended Appalachian State 82-61 at the HU Convocation Center.

Darden led the Pirates with a season-high 21 points on 6-for-11 shooting, hitting four of his six 3-pointers. Johnson added 19 points, five assists, four rebounds, and three steals – going 8-for-18 from the floor in 37 minutes.

Senior forward Jervon Pressley added 11 points while also grabbing a team-high 10 rebounds for his first double-double of the season. Quinton Chievous also had 10 rebounds.

The Pirates shot 45.0 percent (27-for-60) from the floor and made six of their 16 3-pointers (37.5 percent). Hampton went 22-for-36 (61.1 percent) from the free throw line and outscored the Mountaineers 32-26 in the paint.

The Pirates dominated the glass for the second straight game, out-rebounding Appalachian State 49-35.

Senior guard for the Mountaineers, Frank Eaves, led all scorers with 22 points.

The Pirates improved to 2-1 on the season.

The Pirates will kick off a string of nine straight away on Wednesday, Nov. 25, when they head to Williamsburg, Va. to take on William & Mary.