Box Score


FORT WORTH, Texas – Norfolk State saw its season come to a close on Thursday afternoon with a 85-49 against No. 1 seed and defending national champion Baylor in the NCAA Tournament First Round at Dickies' Arena.

The fourth-ranked Bears never trailed in the game and led 43-27 at the half.

Joe Bryant Jr. led the Spartans with 15 points and Chris Ford pulled down five rebounds on the day.

Kris Bankston, who finished with three points and three rebounds, got into foul trouble early and had to sit for more of the second half. That is when Baylor made a push and extended the lead.

Baylor's Matthew Mayer led all scorers with a game-high 22 points and finished with six rebounds. Five Bears finished in double figures. James Akinjo was the only player with a double-double, notching 10 points and 10 assists.

The largest lead came at 84-47 for Baylor.

The Spartans finish the season with a 24-7 record after winning both the MEAC regular season and tournament titles. This was Norfolk State's third appearance in the NCAA Tournament and the Spartans are now 2-3 overall in the Big Dance after upsetting Missouri in 2012 and picking up a win over Appalachian State in the First Four just a season ago.