2014-15 DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY MEN'S BASKETBALL NOTES
“HORNETS” (13-14; 7-5 MEAC) vs. Norfolk State “Spartans” (17-11; 10-3 MEAC)
Mon., Feb. 23, 2015 - 7:00 p.m.
Norfolk, Va. (Echols Hall - 7,000)
ESPNU/MEAC “Game-of-the-Week”
THE GAME
Delaware State (13-14; 7-5 MEAC) looks to improve its position in the 2014-15 MEAC race against second place Norfolk State in a nationally-televised game (ESPNU). The Hornets are fifth in the current MEAC standings, 1/2 game behind fourth place Howard (8-5) and trails third place UMES (9-5) by one game. DSU has won three of its last four games, including a thrilling 74-71 victory at Hampton on Saturday. The Hornets trailed 36-27 at the half, but outscored the Pirates 47-35 in the final 20 minutes. Amere May led the comeback with a game-high 30 points, including 24 in the second half, to raise his MEAC leading average to 19.8 points per game (16th in Div. I). May has reached double-figures in scoring in 17 consecutive games and at least one three-point field goal in 20 straight. He has scored 69 points in the last two games (34.5 pg) and 113 in the last four (28.3 pg). Kendall Williams was the only other Hornet in double figures with 17 points in Saturday's win at Hampton. Williams has 30 assists and just four turnovers in the last eight games. Delaware State's Kendall Gray is tops in the MEAC in rebounds (2nd in Div. I ), blocks (24th in Div. I ) and double-doubles (sixth in Div. I ) this season.
Norfolk State (17-11; 10-3 MEAC) is coming off a 99-81 victory over Coppin State on Saturday to snap a two-game losing streak. RaShid Gaston led four players in double figures with 30 points in the Coppin State contest. Gaston was 11-for-15 from the field and eight-of-nine at the free throw line. He also led all players with 10 rebounds in the game. D'Shon Taylor added 23 points, Malik Thomas 21 and Jeff Short 13 in Norfolk State's last contest. Short in second in the MEAC in scoring at 19.1 points per game. He's also fifth in the league in three-point percentage (.399) and fifth in three-pointers per game (2.1; 59 total). Gaston is seventh in the MEAC in scoring (15.3 ppg), second in rebounding (9.5 pg) and field goal percentage (.620). Norfolk State's Jamal Fuentes is third in the conference in assists at 4.3 per game (117 total).
DSU vs. NORFOLK STATE SERIES HISTORY (NSU leads 30-23)
This is the only scheduled meeting between the Hornets and Spartans this season. Norfolk State won the last time the teams met, 58-56, on Jan. 13, 2014 at Delaware State. Kendall Gray had 20 points (8-12 FGs), 12 rebounds and five blocks for the Hornets to lead all players in that contest. The Spartans have won the last three meetings to open up a 30-23 series lead. Norfolk State posted a 74-56 win the last time the teams met at Echols Hall during the 2012-13 season.
