Preview: Norfolk State Spartans at South Carolina State Bulldogs

ORANGEBURG, S.C. (Interstat) — Two teams seeking momentum in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play will meet Saturday when the Norfolk State Spartans visit the South Carolina State Bulldogs.

The game is scheduled for Jan. 17, 2026, at SHM Memorial Center.

Norfolk State (7-12) enters after a narrow 74-70 home loss to Maryland-Eastern Shore on Monday. The Spartans had won two of their previous three games, including a close road victory at Delaware State on Jan. 10.

South Carolina State (3-15) snapped a five-game skid with its own 74-72 road win at Coppin State on Monday. The victory was just the Bulldogs’ second against a Division I opponent this season.

The matchup features two of the MEAC’s top scoring guards. Norfolk State will rely on Elijah Jamison, who is coming off a 15-point, 6-assist performance against Maryland-Eastern Shore. Jamison has scored in double figures in six of his last seven games, including a 30-point outing at Jackson State last month.

For the Bulldogs, Jayden Johnson has been a consistent offensive force, averaging 21.3 points over his last six contests. He scored 18 points with 5 assists in the win over Coppin State and poured in 25 points in a road loss at Tennessee on Dec. 30.

Despite their overall records, both teams have shown recent competitiveness in conference play. Norfolk State’s three MEAC games have been decided by a total of 7 points. South Carolina State’s two conference wins are by a combined 3 points.

Defense may be a concern. South Carolina State allows an average of 82.2 points per game, while Norfolk State has conceded 70 or more points in 12 of its 19 games.

This is the first of two scheduled meetings between the teams this season. They are slated to play again in Norfolk, Virginia, on Feb. 21.