NORFOLK, Va. – Winners of back-to-back games to open MEAC play, Coppin State's men's basketball team will take on Norfolk State in a clash for first place on Saturday, January 22. Tipoff from Echols Hall is set for 6 pm and can be followed live on
www.coppinstatesports.com
Event Information
Teams: Coppin State Eagles (3-14, 2-0 MEAC) at Norfolk State Spartans (12-4, 3-0 MEAC)
Date & Time: Saturday, January 22 | 6:00 pm
Location: Norfolk, Va. (Echols Hall)
Series History: Norfolk State Leads, 31-14; Coppin has won 3 of last 4
Media:
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Live Stats
Coppin Contributors
Three Eagles average in double figures, led by
Jesse Zarzuela's 15.4 points per game (2
nd in MEAC) at 47 assists (6
th in MEAC).
Tyree Corbett is putting up 14.0 points (5
th in MEAC) and leads the team and league with 8.6 rebounds to go with 13 blocks.
Nendah Tarke has recorded 12.2 points (10
th), 6.2 rebounds (5
th), nearly two assists per game and ranks second nationally with 49 steals. Sharpshooters
Kyle Cardaci and
Mike Hood have averaged around six points per game with
Justin Steers,
Daniel Titus and
Sita Conteh making valuable contributions up front.
Greg Spurlock has also stepped up his play as of late and has put up numbers on both sides of the ball.
Last Time Out
Coppin is coming off a thrilling win over archrival Morgan State, 79-76, at the Bears' Hill Field House on January 15.
Nendah Tarke, who was named the MEAC Co-Defensive Player of the Week, made a buzzer-beater from well beyond half court to win it and finished with a career-high 22 points along with ten rebounds for a double-double, and four steals.
Tarke's buzzer-beater went viral and was the Sportscenter #3 play in the Top Ten.
Jesse Zarzuela and
Tyree Corbett combined for 21 points as both finished in double figures while
Justin Steers added nine points.
Kyle Cardaci and
Remy Lemovou both chipped in with six points apiece.
About the Matchup
The team that wins will stand alone in first place in the MEAC. The Eagles have not started 3-0 in conference play since the 2003-04 season where they finished 18-14 overall and 14-4 in league play. Coppin has won its first two conference games in three of the last four seasons. Last season, the teams met four times with CSU sweeping the Spartans at home before splitting the series at NSU which included a 74-64 win on ESPNU.
Scouting the Spartans
Joe Bryant leads Norfolk State and the MEAC at 16.4 points per game and is a well-rounded player with 4.9 rebounds, 43 assists and 23 steals. Kris Bankston and Jalen Hawkins also average in double digits at 11.8 points and 10.8 points, respectively, with Bankston tops on the boards with 6.9 rebounds. Christian Ings has put up 9.9 points with Tyrese Jenkins, Dana Tate and Cahiem Brown also putting up over six points per contest.
Up Next: Coppin is back home for two-straight conference games, starting with Howard on Monday, January 24 at 7:30 pm. The game can be heard on WNST 1570 AM and be seen live on NXT LVL.
Check here to see where you can watch NXT LVL.
