Box Score


NORFOLK, Va. – For a second straight game, Norfolk State overcame a halftime deficit on Wednesday evening, defeating Bowling Green 81-75 at Echols Hall.
 
Cahiem Brown led the Spartans with 20 points and 10 rebounds, his first double-double of the season. He wasn't the only Spartans to add to that category, as Kris Bankston racked up 16 points and 10 rebounds. Joe Bryant Jr. added 17 points after earning MEAC Co-Player of the Week honors on Tuesday.
 
The Spartans (7-4) got off to a slow start, as Bowling Green jumped out to an early 20-11 advantage. The lead got as large as 11 in the first half, before the Spartans clawed back with a 7-0 run, fueled by a quick Tyrese Jenkins 3-pointer in his first action of the season.
 
NSU provided plenty of exciting plays at the rim on Wednesday, starting with a smooth fast break dunk by the 6-1 Bryant. Later in the period, Bankston spun through the air after a determined hop step for a ferocious slam. Finally, Brown set up Ings beautifully on the fast break with a behind-the-back in the second half, which Ings emphatically stuffed down with two hands.
 
The Falcons entered the break with a 38-34 lead, thanks in large part to Kaden Metheny's incomparable performance. Metheny gave the Spartans trouble from deep all night, knocking down eight 3-pointers on the way to a career-high 28 points.
 
Bryant hit a pair of 3-pointers early in the second half, putting the Spartans back on top. After assisting on the second long ball, Brown notched a dunk of his own on NSU's next possession.
 
Bowling Green tied things up a few minutes later, but Daryl Anderson responded with a pull up 3-pointer. The Spartans would never trail again for the rest of the night, although the game was far from a blowout.
 
Norfolk State led by as much as nine, but the Falcons quickly got back within one possession through ample shooting. Brown drilled a pair of clutch jumpers to help keep the Spartans ahead, before Metheny cut the lead to two with another 3-pointer.
 
The Falcons had a chance to tie things up at the free throw line in the final minute, but missed the front end of a one-and-one to give the ball back to the Spartans. Bryant, on the other hand, made the most of his ensuing trip to the charity stripe, making both freebies to put the game on ice.