NCAAB · Final

Norfolk State Edges UTEP in Thrilling Finish

Sunday, December 21, 2025, 9:30 PM ET · Don Haskins Center

Norfolk State Spartans 72, UTEP Miners 71, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.

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Quick answers

Who won Norfolk State Spartans vs UTEP Miners?

Norfolk State Spartans beat UTEP Miners 72-71 at Don Haskins Center on December 21, 2025.

Who was favored in Norfolk State Spartans vs UTEP Miners?

UTEP Miners were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -470 (about 82% implied). The underdog won.

In a closely contested matchup, the Norfolk State Spartans narrowly defeated the UTEP Miners with a final score of 72-71 at the Don Haskins Center. This game showcased the resilience of the Spartans, who managed to secure a victory despite being on the road against a struggling UTEP team. The Miners have now lost five consecutive games, continuing a disappointing trend for a team that holds a home record of 3-2 but has struggled significantly away, with an away record of 0-5.

Norfolk State entered the game with a record of 6-8, having recently ended a losing streak with a win against Jackson State, where they scored 82 points. Their recent form has been mixed, with an average of 70.8 points scored and 74.0 points allowed over their last ten games. This win against UTEP marks an important moment for the Spartans, who have shown they can perform under pressure, especially after a string of losses leading up to this match.

The game was tightly contested throughout, with both teams exchanging leads multiple times. UTEP, averaging 70.9 points scored and allowing 72.6 points in their last ten games, fought hard but could not overcome the late surge from Norfolk State. The Miners' recent form has been particularly concerning, as they have averaged only 67.0 points in their last five games while allowing 74.6 points.

In terms of home versus away performance, UTEP has found some success at home but has been unable to translate that into wins on the road. Meanwhile, Norfolk State's away record stands at 1-7, indicating that this victory is significant for their confidence moving forward.

The game featured several key scoring plays in the second half that kept fans on the edge of their seats. With the score tied at 68, Anthony McComb III made crucial free throws to push Norfolk State ahead. However, UTEP responded with a three-point jumper from Kaseem Watson, which brought them within one point of the Spartans just before the final buzzer.

Injuries did not play a significant role in this matchup as both teams fielded their regular rosters. The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, had UTEP favored by 10.5 points, with a total set at 136.5. This line reflected the expectations of both teams' performances leading up to the game, although the outcome proved to be much closer than anticipated.

Conditions in the arena were typical for a December night, with a lively crowd supporting the Miners. The atmosphere was charged, adding to the intensity of the game as both teams battled for every point.

Viewers should have noted the strategic plays and adjustments made by both coaches, particularly in the closing minutes of the game. The ability of Norfolk State to maintain composure under pressure was evident, as they executed key plays that ultimately led to their victory. UTEP, on the other hand, will need to regroup and address their recent struggles if they hope to turn their season around.

Odds

Book	Spread	Total	Moneyline
DraftKings	UTEP -10.5	136.5 o -110 / u -110	Norfolk State Spartans +360 · UTEP Miners -470

What these prices pay on $100 · What these numbers mean

Leaders

PointsCaleb Blackwell18UTEP Miners
AssistsCaleb Blackwell7UTEP Miners
ReboundsJamal West Jr.13UTEP Miners
PointsAnthony McComb III21Norfolk State Spartans
AssistsAdrean Newton5Norfolk State Spartans
ReboundsDevon Ellis6Norfolk State Spartans

Recent form

UTEP Miners

Last 10: 3-7Streak L470.9 scored · 72.6 allowed per game3-2 at home

L61-66at Hawai'i Rainbow WarriorsDec 14
L68-75at Seattle U RedhawksDec 8
L59-75at UAB BlazersNov 25
L63-74vs William & Mary TribeNov 24
W84-83vs St. Thomas (TX) CeltsNov 20
L51-75at Utah State AggiesNov 15
L58-71vs Loyola Marymount LionsNov 12
W107-70vs Western New Mexico MustangsNov 8
W98-56vs UT Permian Basin FalconsNov 4
L60-81at Liberty FlamesMar 12

Norfolk State Spartans

Last 10: 3-7Streak W170.8 scored · 74 allowed per game1-7 away

W82-72at Jackson State TigersDec 20
L68-80at Grambling TigersDec 19
L67-97at Baylor BearsDec 10
L67-68at James Madison DukesDec 6
L61-98at Arizona WildcatsNov 29
W136-79vs Virginia Lynchburg DragonsNov 26
L67-75at Wyoming CowboysNov 23
W62-60vs Hampton PiratesNov 22
L41-51at Towson TigersNov 15
L57-60at Old Dominion MonarchsNov 12

Standings

Team	Overall	Games behind	In conference
Howard	24-11	-	11-3
Morgan State	14-16	1	10-4
Norfolk State	15-17	3	8-6
North Carolina Central	14-18	3	8-6
South Carolina State	10-22	4	7-7
Maryland Eastern Shore	9-23	6	5-9
Coppin State	7-24	6	5-9
Delaware State	8-23	9	2-12
Utah State	29-7	-	15-5
San Diego State	22-11	1	14-6
New Mexico	26-11	2	13-7
Grand Canyon	20-12	2	13-7
Nevada	24-13	3	12-8
Boise State	20-12	3	12-8
Colorado State	21-13	4	11-9
UNLV	18-17	4	11-9
Wyoming	18-15	6	9-11
Fresno State	13-19	8	7-13
San José State	9-24	12	3-17
Air Force	3-29	15	0-20

Box score

Stat	Norfolk State Spartans	UTEP Miners
Field goals	23-51	26-55
Field goal %	45	47
Three-pointers	7-20	7-24
Three-point %	35	29
Free throws	19-30	12-27
Free throw %	63	44
Rebounds	33	38
Offensive rebounds	10	15
Defensive rebounds	23	23
Assists	15	16
Steals	6	10
Blocks	0	4
Turnovers	15	16
Team turnovers	1	2
Technical fouls	0	0
Technical fouls, total	0	0
Flagrant fouls	0	0
Points off turnovers	15	12
Fast-break points	7	19
Points in the paint	22	38
Fouls	20	20
Largest lead	13	6
Lead changes	4	4
Time in front	66	25

How the scoring went

2nd Half45-32Adrean Newton makes 22-foot three point jumper (Mykel Jenkins assists)
2nd Half45-34Jamal West Jr. makes layup (Kaseem Watson assists)
2nd Half45-36Caleb Blackwell makes driving layup
2nd Half45-38Elijah Jones makes 7-foot jumper (Caleb Blackwell assists)
2nd Half45-39Elijah Jones makes free throw 1 of 1
2nd Half48-39Anthony McComb III makes 27-foot three point jumper (Elijah Jamison assists)
2nd Half48-41Jamal West Jr. makes driving layup
2nd Half50-41Elijah Jamison makes 13-foot turnaround jump shot
2nd Half51-41Jaquel Morris makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half51-43Jamal West Jr. makes 5-foot jumper (Kaseem Watson assists)
2nd Half53-43Anthony McComb III makes 19-foot pullup jump shot
2nd Half53-45Kaseem Watson makes layup
2nd Half53-47Mouhamed Mbaye makes 0-foot tip in layup
2nd Half53-49Elijah Jones makes 6-foot dunk (Caleb Blackwell assists)
2nd Half56-49Jordan Leaks makes 23-foot three point jumper (Adrean Newton assists)
2nd Half56-51Bobby Montgomery Jr. makes layup (Caleb Blackwell assists)
2nd Half58-51Elijah Jamison makes 7-foot floating jump shot
2nd Half58-54Caleb Blackwell makes 23-foot three point jumper (KJ Thomas assists)
2nd Half60-54Anthony McComb III makes 13-foot jumper (Jordan Leaks assists)
2nd Half60-55KJ Thomas makes free throw 1 of 3
2nd Half60-56KJ Thomas makes free throw 2 of 3
2nd Half60-58Kaseem Watson makes layup (Caleb Blackwell assists)
2nd Half62-58Jaquel Morris makes 0-foot tip in dunk
2nd Half63-58Jaquel Morris makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half63-59Kaseem Watson makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half63-60Kaseem Watson makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half66-60Devon Ellis makes 24-foot three point jumper (Dian Wright-Forde assists)
2nd Half66-61Caleb Blackwell makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half66-62Kaseem Watson makes free throw 1 of 3
2nd Half66-63Kaseem Watson makes free throw 2 of 3
2nd Half66-64Kaseem Watson makes free throw 3 of 3
2nd Half67-64Devon Ellis makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half68-64Devon Ellis makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half68-66Jamal West Jr. makes layup
2nd Half68-68Caleb Blackwell makes layup
2nd Half69-68Elijah Jamison makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half70-68Anthony McComb III makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half71-68Anthony McComb III makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half72-68Anthony McComb III makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half72-71Kaseem Watson makes 24-foot three point jumper (Caleb Blackwell assists)