If you’re hunting for the Norfolk State score today, you might notice the scoreboard is actually dark. The Spartans aren't playing on this Friday, January 16, 2026.
But don't let the empty arena fool you. There's a lot of tension brewing in Norfolk right now. The team is currently sitting at 7-12 overall and, honestly, the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) standings aren't looking as pretty as fans hoped. After a gut-wrenching 74-70 loss to Maryland Eastern Shore this past Monday, the energy around Echols Hall is a mix of frustration and "we’ve got to figure this out."
Basically, they are in the middle of a high-stakes waiting game.
What Happened to the Norfolk State Score Today?
The Spartans are currently in transit. They are preparing for a massive showdown in Orangeburg against South Carolina State tomorrow, Saturday, January 17. Because there is no Norfolk State score today, fans are dissecting that recent four-point loss to the Hawks. It was a game they probably should have won. Elijah Jamison was out there doing everything—putting up 15 points and dishing out six assists—but the team just couldn't seal the deal in the final minute.
You've probably seen this script before if you follow MEAC basketball. It’s a league where every possession feels like a heavyweight fight.
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Right now, Norfolk State is 1-2 in conference play. That puts them in a tie for fourth place with Howard, Morgan State, and Coppin State. It is a logjam. North Carolina Central and Maryland Eastern Shore are currently looking down from the top with perfect 3-0 records. If the Spartans want to stay in the hunt for a top seed in the conference tournament, tomorrow's game isn't just "another game." It’s a vibe-shifter.
The Problem with the Spartans' Defense
Let’s be real for a second. The defense has been kinda leaky.
They are allowing over 72 points per game, which isn't the "Spartan Way" we’ve seen under Coach Robert Jones in previous championship years. In the loss to UMES, they let the Hawks shoot over 40% from the field and, more importantly, sent them to the free-throw line 37 times. You cannot win games when you're handing out that many free points.
- Free Throw Disparity: UMES made 28 free throws. Norfolk State made 23. That’s the game right there.
- Three-Point Woes: The Spartans only hit 3-of-13 from deep. 23%. That is tough to watch.
- Turnover Battle: They actually won the turnover battle (9 to 9), but they didn't capitalize on the fast break.
Anthony McComb III is still the engine, averaging nearly 16 points a night. When he’s on, Norfolk State looks like a world-beater. When he’s struggling to find his rhythm, the offense gets static. It’s a lot of pressure on one guy's shoulders.
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Looking Ahead to South Carolina State
So, since there isn't a Norfolk State score today, let’s look at what’s coming in less than 24 hours. The Bulldogs of South Carolina State are 3-15. On paper? That looks like a "get right" game. But here’s the kicker: the Bulldogs are 2-1 in the MEAC. They are actually ahead of Norfolk State in the standings right now.
Orangeburg is a notoriously difficult place to play. The Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center gets loud, and the Bulldogs play a chaotic, high-pressure style that can rattle teams that aren't mentally locked in.
If you're tracking the Norfolk State score today because you're worried about the season trajectory, tomorrow is the litmus test. A win gets them back to .500 in the conference and stops the bleeding. A loss? Then we start talking about a "down year," which is a phrase nobody in Norfolk wants to hear.
How to Follow the Spartans This Weekend
Since you won't find a live score until Saturday afternoon, here is the roadmap for the next 48 hours.
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The game against South Carolina State tips off at 4:30 p.m. EST on Saturday, January 17. You can catch it on ESPN+ if you have a subscription. If you're looking for the women's team, they usually play the early leg of the doubleheader, so keep an eye out for those results around 2:00 p.m.
The women's side is a different story entirely. They’ve been dominant, but they recently had a tough out-of-conference battle against Old Dominion. In the MEAC, however, they remain the team to beat.
Actionable Steps for Spartan Fans
Stop refreshing the live scores for Friday and start prepping for the Saturday slate.
- Check the Injury Report: Keep an eye on the status of the rotation players. In a close conference race, one missing bench piece can change the defensive rotations entirely.
- Monitor the MEAC Standings: Watch the North Carolina Central vs. Howard game on Saturday as well. Those results will directly impact where Norfolk State sits by Sunday morning.
- Validate the Live Stream: Ensure your ESPN+ login is actually working before tip-off; nothing is worse than missing the first ten minutes because of a password reset.
The path to the MEAC Tournament in March is getting narrow. While there is no Norfolk State score today, the silence is just the calm before a very important storm in South Carolina.
Next Steps: Check the official Norfolk State Athletics website tomorrow morning for any last-minute roster changes before the 4:30 p.m. tip-off against the Bulldogs.