NORFOLK, Va. (Interstat) — Elijah Jamison scored 28 points, including several critical baskets in the final minutes, and Norfolk State held off a persistent North Carolina Central squad for a 75-68 victory in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference men’s basketball game Saturday afternoon at Echols Hall.

A crowd of 2,235 watched the Spartans (11-14, 4-4 MEAC) complete a regular-season split with the Eagles (8-13, 3-5), who had won the first meeting 69-67 on Jan. 3 in Durham. Norfolk State, a 4.5-point pregame favorite, overcame 18 turnovers by dominating the glass and capitalizing at the free-throw line.

The most important stretch of the game came with the outcome still in doubt inside the final three minutes. Leading 64-62, Norfolk State saw Jamison, a 6-foot-3 guard from Louisburg, North Carolina, drain a deep 3-pointer from the top of the key with 2:18 remaining to push the lead to five. After a North Carolina Central turnover on the ensuing possession, Jamison struck again, hitting another 3-pointer off an assist from My’kel Jenkins to extend the Spartan advantage to 69-62 with 1:49 to play, effectively sealing the game.

Jamison, who played 28 minutes, was efficient from the field, making 8 of 13 shots, including 4 of 7 from beyond the arc. He also went 8 for 10 from the free-throw line, part of a 21-for-27 team performance that proved decisive. The Eagles, by contrast, attempted only 14 free throws, making 11.

North Carolina Central was led by Gage Lattimore’s 19 points. Kelechi Okworogwo added 18 points, seven rebounds and three blocks for the Eagles, while Jae’Daun Slack contributed 12 points. The Eagles’ defense was active, recording nine steals and seven blocks, with Kyric Davis swatting four shots.

The game was a contest of contrasting efficiencies. Norfolk State scored 75 points on just 70 possessions, an offensive rating of 107.4, fueled by a 48% shooting performance from the field. North Carolina Central, despite forcing more turnovers, managed only 68 points on 71 possessions, an offensive rating of 96.2, and shot 5 of 18 from 3-point range.

A key disparity came on the offensive glass, where the Spartans grabbed 11 rebounds leading to 13 second-chance points, compared to just five offensive boards for the Eagles. Norfolk State also owned the paint, outscoring Central 34-26.

The first half was a back-and-forth affair featuring eight lead changes. Norfolk State took a narrow 36-31 lead into halftime after a late layup by Jamison. The Spartans maintained a slim margin throughout much of the second half, with the Eagles pulling within a single possession on multiple occasions, the last time at 64-62 following an Okworogwo layup with 3:21 left, setting the stage for Jamison’s closing heroics.

Devon Ellis had seven points, three assists and a block for Norfolk State, while Jenkins added eight points. For North Carolina Central, Dionte Johnson dished out four assists.

The win moves Norfolk State to .500 in conference play, while North Carolina Central drops its second straight MEAC contest. Both teams return to action Monday in conference play, with Norfolk State hosting Delaware State and North Carolina Central traveling to face South Carolina State.