NORFOLK STATE [23-11, 11-3 MEAC] vs. PURDUE FORT WAYNE [23-12, 11-9 HORIZON]
Date / Time	Wednesday, Mar. 27, 2024 | 7 p.m.
Location	Norfolk, Va. | Echols Hall
Tickets	Purchase Tickets Here
Radio	WNSB 91.1 FM
Live Stats	nsuspartans.com
All-Time Series	First Meeting
Social Media	Twitter - X | Instagram | Facebook

NORFOLK, Va. – The Norfolk State men's basketball team will compete for a championship at Joseph G. Echols Memorial Hall on Wednesday.
 
The Spartans (23-11, 11-3 MEAC) will host Purdue Fort Wayne (23-12, 11-9 Horizon) at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Mar. 27 for the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament (CIT) final.
 
Norfolk State earned the No. 1 overall seed in the tournament, receiving a first-round bye. The Spartans used a powerful second half to take down Alabama A&M, 81-66, on Saturday in the John McLendon Classic to clinch their first-ever appearance in the CIT title game.
 
Purdue Fort Wayne earned a pair of thrilling victories on its path to the championship, defeating Bowling Green 77-75 in the Jim Phelan Classic before escaping Stephenville, Texas with a 73-72 triumph over Tarleton State on Monday night.
 
Norfolk State has a chance to make history this week, in addition to the tournament stakes. The Spartans carry a 14-0 home record into Wednesday's matchup, aiming to become the first NSU men's basketball team to win 15 home games in a single season.
 
Tickets are on sale now online or in-person at the NSU Ticket Office.
 
ABOUT THE CIT

• The first CIT took place in 2009, with crosstown foe Old Dominion winning the inaugural title
• Marshall defeated Green Bay 90-70 in the last CIT championship game on Apr. 4, 2019
• The 2024 CIT ended the event's four-year hiatus
• Norfolk State is no stranger to the CIT, competing in the event in four consecutive seasons from 2014-17, the first four years of Jones' tenure
• The Spartans had never advanced out of the tournament's first round before this year's run 

LAST TIME OUT

• Norfolk State improved to 23-11 with an 81-66 win over Alabama A&M on Monday, earning the first CIT championship appearance in the program's history
• Daryl Anderson was named the John McLendon Classic Most Valuable Player, knocking down a career-high five 3-pointers in the second half
• Allen Betrand led the Spartans with 16 points, adding three rebounds and two assists
• Five Spartans scored in double figures: Betrand (16 points) Anderson (15), Jack Doumbia (13), Christian Ings (11), and Chris Fields Jr. (11)
• Norfolk State outscored Alabama A&M 53-35 in the second half
• Norfolk State improved to 5-0 this season and 34-1 in head coach Robert Jones' tenure when five Spartans score in double figures 

WHAT'S AT STAKE

• With a win, Norfolk State would earn its first-ever CIT Championship
• The Spartans would record their 15^th home victory in a single season for the first time in program history

MASTODON SCOUT

• Purdue Fort Wayne pulled out a riveting 73-72 victory at Tarleton State on Monday to advance to the CIT Final
• The Mastodon's own a 23-12 overall record, 11-9 in the Horizon League
• Purdue Fort Wayne is led by sophomore Jalen Jackson and junior Rasheed Bello, averaging 16.0 and 15.0 points per game, respectively 

SERIES HISTORY

• Wednesday will mark the first meeting between the programs

TIP-INS

• Jamarii Thomas leads the MEAC in scoring, averaging 17.1 points per game, while recording a league-best 2.1 steals per game
• Kuluel Mading ranks fourth in the MEAC with 1.1 blocks per game
• Jaylani Darden ranks 11^th in the MEAC with 5.0 rebounds per game and fifth in steals per game
• Norfolk State leads the MEAC in scoring defense (67.6) and defensive field goal percentage (41.0)
• Jamarii Thomas ranks 14^th in the nation with 193 made free throws this season