Norfolk State kept the momentum from Thursday night’s game to defeat Jackson State 82-72 and finish the Chris Paul HBCU Classic even 1-1. Elijah Jamison dropped 30 points to power the Spartans.
Jamison scored 20 points in the first half to help the Spartans end the first half up 42-29. Anthony McComb III and Adrean Newton were the only other Norfolk State starters with double figures.
Jayme Mitchell Jr., Daeshun Ruffin, and Dorian McMillian scored 22 of the Tigers’ 29 first-half points. The Spartans’ defense held the Tigers to 34.5% from the field.
The Spartans doubled their halftime lead on the heels of a 12-0 run capped by Devon Ellis’ layup. Jackson State battled back with a pair of mini runs. Ruffin, as expected, went off. He scored 18 points on 5-7 from the field, 2-3 from three, and 6-6 from the line. Mitchell added 10 of his 19 points on 3-7 shooting from the field and 3-5 from the line.
It was Mitchell’s three that cut the Spartans’ lead to 11 points at the 1:20 mark. J-State traded baskets until a three by Ruffin cut it to 10 with 16 seconds remaining.
Norfolk State knocked down enough free throws (11-15) in the second half to clinch the victory.