BALTIMORE – DeJuan Clayton led five Coppin State players in double figures with 20 points as the Eagles defeated Norfolk State, 81-71, on Saturday afternoon at PEC Arena. The victory snapped a 14-game losing streak against the Spartans and Coppin is now alone in first place in the MEAC North with a 4-1 conference record along with a 5-9 overall mark. Norfolk State falls to 8-5 on the year and 3-2 in league play.
Clayton made 4-of-9 shots from the floor with a pair of 3-pointers but really shined at the line as he made all ten of his shots from the charity stripe. A redshirt senior from Bowie, Md., Clayton was credited with seven rebounds and six assists.
Coppin played arguably its most complete game of the season as they shot 43.6% from the floor with 12 3-pointers while making 21-of-29 (72.4%) free throws. Defensively, the Eagles held the Spartans to just 35.1% shooting and outrebounds Norfolk, 48-40.
Kenan Sarvan hit four 3-pointers to match a season-high to finish with 14 points and he also set a new season-high with a team-high nine rebounds.
Anthony Tarke had a very well-rounded outing once again, contributing 12 points, eight rebounds, three assists, three blocks and a pair of steals.
Koby Thomas and
Kyle Cardaci added 11 points apiece while combining for 12 rebounds.
Nendah Tarke also chipped in with seven points and
Yuat Alok added five more for the Eagles.
Despite the lack of fans, it was easy to feel the energy in the arena as both teams played very aggressive defense throughout the game. After a double technical foul at the 12:17 mark of the first half, Norfolk hit a pair of free throws to go up, 13-10 until Sarvan tied it at the other end with his first three of the game.
Norfolk came right back with a jumper to spark a 7-0 run but
Nendah Tarke hit a pair of free throws on the ensuing possession.
Anthony Tarke then forced a turnover and threw down a slam while being fouled and completed the 3-point play. The Eagles defense then forced another turnover and Cardaci made them pay with a triple, giving Coppin back the lead with 6:54 remaining.
After four lead changes, Thomas buried a three off a pass from Clayton at the 5:07 mark to give the Eagles back the lead at 27-25. Thomas' three sparked an extended CSU run and the Eagles led at the half, 40-30.
The Spartans threatened to get back into the game early in the second half with a 7-3 run out of the break, but that as close as they got the rest of the game.
Sarvan put a stop to Norfolk's mini-run with 3-pointers at both ends of the 16-minute media timeout before
Anthony Tarke swatted away a Norfolk attempt, grabbed his own rebound and threw down a dunk with 13:33 to go, upping CSU's advantage to 51-40.
CSU extended their lead to as many as 81-63 with just over 90 seconds left in regulation and emptied their bench.
The same two teams will face off at PEC Arena on Sunday, January 24 at 1 pm as Coppin will look to lengthen their lead in the MEAC North.
