Christian Ings scored 14 of his team-high 16 points in the second half while Brian Moore, Jr. added nine of his 15 after the intermission, but it was a strong defensive effort that helped Norfolk State (24-10) to a 66-65 win over South Carolina State (20-13) in the finals of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Men’s Basketball tournament at the Norfolk Scope Arena.
By virtue of the victory, the Spartans receive the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Norfolk State will learn who they will face in the NCAA Tournament on Sunday, March 16 during the NCAA Selection Show on CBS at 6 p.m. ET. Fans can join the teams as they find out
The two teams battled back and forth for the first 16 minutes before the Bulldogs went on a 9-0 run that was fueled by the three-point shooting of Wilson Dubinsky (6'3''-G), who was a perfect three-for-three from beyond the arc. SC State led 34-25 at the half.
The Spartans came out in the second half and imposed their defensive will on the Bulldogs, who came into the tournament as the Number 2 seed. Kuluel Mading (6'11''-F), Tyrel Bladen (6'10''-F) and Chris Fields (6'7''-F) posed problems for the Bulldogs offensively with their strong presence inside the paint.
“In the second half, we changed to a tempo press and went to the zone,” said NSU head coach Robert Jones, who was named the Tournament Outstanding Coach. “I didn’t think that South Carolina State would be effective against our zone. Although we were down at the half, we felt strongly that we could get back in it with our defense.”
SC State head coach Eric Martin, who was named the MEAC Regular Season Coach of the Year, had a different perspective.
“It’s a difficult loss,” said Coach Martin during his post-game press conference. “In the second half, we got into foul trouble. As a result, we had to hold back or press.”
Ings and Moore, Jr. both struggled in the first half against a tough Bulldog defense. In the second half, the senior duo took turns getting key baskets and free throws to work their team back. It started at the 9:06 mark of the second stanza with Ings scoring six of his team’s points and Moore, Jr. chipping in with two baskets that gave the Spartans their biggest lead of the game at 59-51 with 4:56 on the clock.
But Dubinsky, who led all scorers with 24, refused to let his team go down. He nailed two clutch three pointers and Chad Everett scored four during a 10-5 run that cut the deficit to 64-61 with 2:01 on the clock.
Jayden Johnson added a basket for SC State sandwiched around a free throw by Ings to make the score, 66-65 with 6.4 ticks on the clock and the Bulldogs in possession.
The Spartans’ defense again stood tall and foiled two shots attempts by SC State as the buzzer sounded.
“I can’t say enough about the senior leadership today,” praised Jones, referring to Ings and Moore, Jr.
“They appealed to teammates to stay poised and focused when things got hectic,” noted Jones. “When we lost last year (in the semifinals), it was a two-year drought for us. We told people that we would be back and here we are. I’m just so happy for this team and what they have overcome to get this championship.”
The Bulldogs made their first appearance in the finals in 22 years.
“It was great getting South Carolina State back to the finals,” reflected Martin in just his second year at the helm. “We wanted to close the deal. I give credit to Norfolk State.”
Ings and Moore, Jr. combined for 14 rebounds and eight assists between them adding seven rebounds to their stat totals.
SC State was led by Dubinsky with 24, including a perfect 5 for 5 from three while Omar Croskey contributed 10 before fouling out.

Courtesy of meacsports.com

MEAC Final:
Norfolk St - SCSU 66-65
MEAC Semifinals:
Norfolk St - Morgan St 58-55
SCSU - NC Central 88-67
MEAC Quarterfinals:
Norfolk St - UMES 77-70
SCSU - Coppin St 68-63
Delaware St - NC Central 77-79
Howard - Morgan St 90-91