Pitt scores 24, Norfolk defeats UTEP in Sun Bowl tourney
EL PASO, Texas -- Mastadi Pitt scored 24 points and Norfolk State pulled away in the second half to defeat UTEP 75-62 at the Sun Bowl Invitational on Friday night.
Pitt made 4 of 5 3-pointers, 7 of 9 from the field overall, and 6 of 7 free throws. Derrik Jamerson added 13 points and C.J. Kelly scored 10 points for the Spartans (5-8).
Evan Gilyard led the Miners (4-6) with 20 points, Efe Odigie added 18 points and Paul Thomas grabbed 17 rebounds. UTEP led 40-23 on the boards.
The Spartans led 34-32 with 15:56 remaining in the second half and pushed their advantage to 10 points two minutes later. The lead was 57-43 with eight minutes remaining and peaked at 64-46 with 6:53 to go. The margin stayed in double digits for the remainder of the game.
Norfolk will play East Tennessee State (9-4) in the championship game on Saturday. ETSU defeated Wyoming 76-53 on Friday night.
Game Information
- Referees:
- Doran Gotschall
- Casey McClellan
- Eric Curry
2024-25 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Norfolk State | 2-0 | - | 11-7 |
| South Carolina State | 2-0 | - | 8-9 |
| Howard | 1-0 | 0.5 | 6-9 |
| Morgan State | 1-1 | 1 | 7-11 |
| Coppin State | 1-1 | 1 | 2-14 |
| Maryland Eastern Shore | 0-1 | 1.5 | 4-13 |
| Delaware State | 0-2 | 2 | 7-9 |
| North Carolina Central | 0-2 | 2 | 7-12 |
2024-25 Conference USA Standings
| Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| UTEP | 2-0 | - | 12-3 |
| New Mexico State | 2-0 | - | 9-6 |
| Liberty | 2-1 | 0.5 | 14-2 |
| Middle Tennessee | 2-1 | 0.5 | 11-5 |
| Kennesaw State | 1-1 | 1 | 9-6 |
| Jacksonville State | 1-1 | 1 | 9-6 |
| Louisiana Tech | 1-2 | 1.5 | 12-4 |
| Western Kentucky | 1-2 | 1.5 | 10-6 |
| Florida International | 1-2 | 1.5 | 7-9 |
| Sam Houston | 0-3 | 2.5 | 7-9 |
Men's College Basketball News
