2019-20 DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY MEN'S BASKETBALL
"HORNETS" (3-18; 2-5 MEAC) vs. NORFOLK STATE  "Spartans " (10-13; 6-2 MEAC)
Sat., Feb. 8, 2020 - 6:30 p.m.     
Norfolk, Va. (Echols Hall - 4,500)                  
Live TV:  n/a
Live Video: NSUSpartans.com ; Live Audio: NSUSprtans.com 
Live Stats: NSUSpartans.com
Twitter updates: @DSUmbb

Delaware State Head Coach Eric Skeeters (Coppin State, '97): 8-43 at DSU and career  (second season);
0-2 vs. NSU; 4-19 MEAC regular season  

THE GAME 
Delaware State (3-18; 2-5 MEAC) is eighth in the MEAC race entering this weekend's competition. The Hornets have already tied their MEAC win total for the entire 2018-19 season. DSU is coming off a home 68-66 loss to Maryland-Eastern Shore last Monday.  The Hornets led 40-36 at the half, but shot just 34.6 percent in the final 20 minutes (9-for-26) in the final 20 minutes to fall for the fourth time in the last five outings. Delaware State was also plagued by 15-for-27 free throw shooting (55.6%) in the game, including 8-of-17 (47.1%) in the first half. Senior guard John Crosby led three DSU double-figure scorers with 19 points in the game. Omari-Peek Green (fr.) added 16 points on 5-for-9 shooting from the field, including two three-pointers (2-for-4), and, four free throws in four attempts, while Ameer Bennett contributed 11 points in the MDES contest.  Crosby is No. 1 in the MEAC and 21st among all NCAA Div. I players in scoring at 20.4 points per game. He has reached double figures in scoring in 19 of the Hornets' 21 games, topping the 20-point mark in 10 games and scoring 30-or-more in four contests.  Crosby needs 72 points to become the first Hornet since to reach 500 in a season since Amere May scored 672 in the 2014-15 campaign. Bennett is DSU's second leading scorer (11.0 ppg) and top rebounder (6.5 pg)  this season. Hornet guard Pinky Wiley (jr.) is fourth in the MEAC in assists at 3.5 per game (73 total).
 
Norfolk State (10-13; 6-2 MEAC) is currently tied for second in the 2019-20 MEAC standings. The Spartans have dropped their last two games, road losses to North Carolina A&T (Feb. 1) and North Carolina Central (Feb. 3). Norfolk State led 38-32 at the half, but was outscored 37-25 in the final 20 minutes in their last outing vs. NCCU. Jermaine Bishop (sr.) is Norfolk State's top scorer at 13.9 points per game to rank in the MEAC. Steven Whitley (sr.) is second on the Spartans and 19th in the league in scorer at 10.4 points per game. Whitley is also sixth in the MEAC in assists at 3.3 per game. Devante Carter is NSU's leader and 13th in the MEAC in rebounding at 5.3 per game.   
 
HORNETS vs. Spartans Series History (NSU leads 27-21)   
This is the first of two scheduled meetings between the teams this season. Norfolk State has won the last four contests to open up a 27-21 series lead. The Spartans took both 2018-19 meetings, winning 77-63 in Norfolk, Va. and completing the season sweep with a 74-66 victory at DSU. Delaware State has not defeated Norfolk State since a 67-4 victory in Dover, Del., on Feb. 20, 2016. The Hornets and Spartans are also scheduled to meet again on Mar. 2 at Delaware State's Memorial Hall in Dover, Del