NORFOLK, Va. (Interstat) — Anthony McComb scored 24 points to lead Norfolk State to a 90-71 men’s basketball victory over South Carolina State on Saturday at Echols Hall. The Spartans (14-14, 8-3 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) never trailed, building a 44-35 halftime lead and maintaining control throughout the second half. McComb, a guard from Dayton, Ohio, shot efficiently in 33 minutes to pace Norfolk State. Jayden Johnson led the Bulldogs (7-19, 5-6) with 18 points, while Cameron Clark added 16 points and seven rebounds. Norfolk State dominated inside, outscoring South Carolina State 40-24 in the paint and converting 31 points off turnovers. A crowd of 2,140 watched the Spartans sweep the regular-season series.

NORFOLK, Va. (Interstat) — Anthony McComb scored 24 points and Norfolk State used a dominant first-half performance fueled by relentless defensive pressure to cruise past South Carolina State 90-71 in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference men’s basketball game Saturday at Echols Hall. The Spartans (14-14, 8-3 MEAC) scored the game’s first eight points, forced 22 Bulldogs turnovers and converted them into 31 points to secure a season series sweep. Norfolk State led by as many as 19 in the second half and never saw its advantage dip below double digits after the opening five minutes. The most critical stretch of the game came immediately after the opening tip. Norfolk State’s defensive intensity set the tone from the outset. South Carolina State’s Derwin Hodge committed a turnover on the Bulldogs’ first possession, which Adrean Newton stole and converted into a fast-break layup. On the ensuing inbound play, Hodge turned it over again, leading to a Jordan Leaks 3-pointer. Before the first media timeout, the Spartans had forced three turnovers and built a 10-2 lead, establishing a pace and physicality the Bulldogs could not match. McComb, a 6-foot-3 guard from Dayton, Ohio, was efficient throughout, shooting 7 of 12 from the field and hitting four 3-pointers. He also went 6 for 6 from the free-throw line and added two rebounds and a block in 33 minutes. His scoring outburst continued a strong stretch, following performances of 17 and 19 points in his last two games. Elijah Jamison orchestrated the Norfolk State offense with 11 points and a game-high six assists. Jaquel Morris provided a strong interior presence with 13 points, three rebounds and two blocks, while Melo Baines, a local product from Norfolk, contributed nine points and six rebounds off the bench. South Carolina State (7-19, 4-7) was led by Cameron Clark’s 16 points and seven rebounds. Jayden Johnson added 18 points and three assists, but also committed six of his team’s 22 turnovers. The Bulldogs shot a respectable 42.9% from the field and 82.8% from the line, but were undone by their ball-handling issues and Norfolk State’s superior shooting. The Spartans finished the game shooting 59.3% from the floor and 55.6% from 3-point range, posting an offensive rating of 126.8 points per 100 possessions. In contrast, South Carolina State managed an offensive rating of just 95.0. Norfolk State built its commanding lead with a 44-35 halftime advantage. The Spartans shot 60.7% in the opening period and scored 20 points in the paint, while their defense held the Bulldogs to 35 points despite South Carolina State attempting 10 more field goals in the half due to a significant possession disparity. The second half saw Norfolk State maintain its comfortable margin. A 7-0 run capped by a McComb 3-pointer pushed the lead to 79-64 with just over six minutes remaining, effectively sealing the game. The Spartans’ largest lead came at 90-71 as time expired. The victory keeps Norfolk State in contention near the top of the MEAC standings, while South Carolina State’s struggles continue. The Bulldogs have now lost three of their last four games. Attendance at Echols Hall was 2,140. Norfolk State covered the pregame spread as a 10-point favorite, and the total score of 161 surpassed the over/under line of 144.5. South Carolina State next plays at Maryland-Eastern Shore on Feb. 28. Norfolk State travels to face Coppin State on the same date.

Preview: South Carolina State at Norfolk State NORFOLK, Va. (Interstat) — The Norfolk State Spartans will look to solidify their position in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference standings when they host the South Carolina State Bulldogs at Echols Hall on Saturday, February 21, 2026. Norfolk State (13-14 overall) enters the matchup with momentum, having won three of its last four games, including a 70-66 road victory at Maryland-Eastern Shore on Monday. The Spartans are led by guard Anthony McComb, who is averaging 16.2 points over his last five contests. He scored 17 points in the win over Maryland-Eastern Shore and had a season-high 29 points in a rout of Coppin State last month. South Carolina State (7-18) is coming off its best offensive performance of the conference season, an 85-72 home win over North Carolina Central on Wednesday. The Bulldogs were led in that game by guard Jayden Johnson, who scored 20 points and dished out six assists. Johnson has been a consistent scorer, reaching double figures in four of his last five games, including a 19-point effort in a win over Maryland-Eastern Shore on Feb. 4. The Bulldogs will need another strong outing from Johnson to challenge the Spartans on the road. South Carolina State has struggled away from home this season, including a 57-point performance in a lopsided loss at Howard earlier this month. This game is a rematch from January 17, when Norfolk State secured an 89-82 victory in Orangeburg, South Carolina. In that game, the Spartans’ offense proved too much for the Bulldogs down the stretch. For Norfolk State, a win would move the team to .500 and continue its push up the MEAC table. For South Carolina State, building on Wednesday’s offensive breakout is crucial as it seeks to climb out of the conference cellar. The Spartans hold a clear advantage in record and recent form, but the Bulldogs’ potent showing last time out suggests they could present a challenge if their shooting carries over to the road. Tip-off is scheduled for Saturday at Echols Hall.