Old Dominion University continued its strong start to the season on Wednesday night, beating Norfolk State 71-60 at Echols Hall. The victory moved the Monarchs to 4-0 for the first time since the 2009-2010 campaign, while the Spartans fell to 2-2.
Key performances
Senior guard Zacch Wiggins led the Monarchs with 16 points, joining three teammates who reached double figures. Bubu Benjamin, Zamoku Weluche-Ume, and Jothan Nweke each contributed 10 points. For Norfolk State, freshman guard Jordan Skyers posted a game-high 19 points and recorded six steals, while Bahsil Laster added 17 points.
Game flow
Old Dominion opened a 36-24 lead at halftime and extended the margin to 20 points early in the second half. Norfolk State rallied with an 11-0 run that cut the deficit to six points with less than a minute left, but the Monarchs held on to secure the win.
Rebounding proved decisive, as ODU outboarded the Spartans 33-18 on the glass. The Monarchs also maintained a steady defensive presence, limiting Norfolk State’s scoring opportunities in the final minutes.
Historical context
This matchup was the first Division I contest held at Norfolk State’s campus since December 2020, when a COVID‑restricted crowd of about 200 fans attended. Prior to that, the two schools had not met on the Spartans’ home floor since December 1972. Of the 23 meetings between the crosstown rivals, only five have been true home games for Norfolk State.
Looking ahead
Old Dominion head coach Mike Jones praised his team’s effort and emphasized the need to keep improving. “We’ll take the win and get ready for Longwood,” he said, referencing the upcoming home game against in‑state foe Longwood.
Norfolk State coach Robert Jones highlighted his squad’s resilience. “We showed some fight today,” he said. “Now we’ve got to bottle those six, seven minutes up and keep pushing.” The Spartans will travel to Atlanta for a Sunday matchup against Georgia State.
Community significance
The game drew local fans eager to witness the historic return of Division I basketball to Echols Hall. The rivalry, rooted in Norfolk’s college community, continues to be a source of pride for both schools and their supporters.
Original reporting: WTKR News 3 (Scripps) – local — read the source article.
