Norfolk State goes to 8-1 with another win in Phoenix

Kris Bankston had 20 points and nine rebounds as Norfolk State defeated Grambling 70-63 Monday night to finish 2-0 at the HBCU Challenge Hosted by Chris Paul in Phoenix.

Building on their 70-61 triumph against Hampton University the previous night in the NBA Suns’ arena where Paul plays, the Spartans (8-1) continued their excellent start as Tyrese Jenkins had 12 points and six rebounds and Joe Bryant Jr. and Jalen Hawkins scored nine points apiece.

A.J. Taylor had 16 points and 14 rebounds for the Tigers (2-5), who shot just 20 of 62 (32.3%) from the field, including 16.7% (5 of 30) from 3-point range.

NSU hit 49.1% (26 of 53) from the field and was 4 of 13 from beyond the arc, including Jenkins’ 2-for-4 accuracy.

Norfolk State led the great majority of the game, but Grambling pulled even at 52 with 10:06 to go.

Hawkins’ layup and Bankston’s three-point play made it 57-52, and the Spartans retained the lead thereafter.

Women

Mid-Atlantic Christian 56, Virginia Wesleyan 47: The visiting Mustangs (1-3) from Elizabeth City, North Carolina, upended the Marlins (2-4) at TowneBank Arena.

Tyeisha Williams had 21 points, nine rebounds, six assists, six steals and two blocks as she played all 40 minutes for MACU, which is in the Eastern Metro Athletic Conference — a league including Apprentice School. Former Gateway Christian player Judea Edmonds added 13 points, Kayla

Kent scored 11 and Airyannah Moitt had 10 rebounds, six points and five assists.

For VWU, Adaje Williams had 14 points and three blocks. Jessica Jennings scored 13 points and S’Zahria Jones 12, but the Marlins couldn’t overcome 28.6% fieldgoal shooting (16 of 56), including 2-of-24 woes from beyond the arc.

The Marlins saw their two-game winning streak end. They’ll get just one day before returning to competition Wednesday with a home game against Old Dominion Athletic Conference rival Randolph-Macon.