Norfolk Vs. SC State: MEAC Championship Showdown Set After NCCU Falls Short

NORFOLK, Va. – The dream of a championship run ended for NC Central on Friday night as South Carolina State dominated the MEAC semifinals, securing an 88-67 victory to punch their ticket to the conference championship game against No. 1 Norfolk State.

Eagles’ Rally Falls Short Against SC State

NC Central (14-19) fought hard but could not recover from a brutal first half, during which they trailed by as many as 29 points. South Carolina State (20-12) came out firing, shooting a blistering 61.1% from the field in the opening 20 minutes while applying relentless full-court pressure that disrupted NCCU’s offensive flow.

The Bulldogs’ Omar Croskey had a night to remember, dropping a season-high 30 points on 11-of-14 shooting, including five three-pointers. Davion Everett (16 points) and Colin McKenzie (14 points) provided crucial support as SC State secured its first 20-win season since 2003.

For NCCU, Perry Smith Jr. led the way with 20 points and nine rebounds, while Po’Boigh King added 18 points, including four made threes. Despite outscoring SC State 42-34 in the second half, the first-half deficit was too steep to overcome.

SC State Sets Up Title Clash with Norfolk State

With the win, SC State advances to the MEAC Championship for the first time in over two decades, looking to claim their first tournament title since 2003. Standing in their way is a familiar foe—top-seeded Norfolk State (23-10), who held off Morgan State in a hard-fought 58-55 semifinal victory.

Norfolk State Survives Thriller Against Morgan State

Norfolk State earned their championship bid the hard way, fending off a furious late rally from Morgan State. Christian Ings (19 points) and Brian Moore Jr. (14 points) led the Spartans, who leaned on their defense in the final moments to secure the win. Morgan State had multiple chances to tie the game in the last 30 seconds, but Norfolk State held firm to reach the title game for the first time since 2023.

MEAC Championship Game: A Battle of Powerhouses

SC State vs. Norfolk State – Saturday, 1 PM on ESPN2

The Bulldogs and Spartans split their regular-season series, each winning on their home floor. SC State now looks to snap Norfolk State’s reign and end a 21-year title drought while the Spartans aim to reclaim MEAC glory.

For more information, visit MEACHoops.com.