Norfolk, Virginia – In a thrilling matchup, Brian Moore Jr. hit a dramatic 3-pointer at the buzzer, leading Norfolk State to a narrow 81-78 victory against North Carolina Central on Monday night.

The Spartans were trailing late in the game when Terrance Jones made a jumper with just over a minute remaining, closing the gap to 78-76. With 31 seconds on the clock, Moore capitalized on a turnover by the Eagles to sink another jumper, leveling the score. The excitement peaked when North Carolina Central committed another turnover with only two seconds left, setting the stage for Moore’s stunning game-winning shot.

Moore finished the game with an impressive 19 points, making 6 of his 10 attempts from the field and shooting 5 for 6 from the free-throw line. His contributions were crucial for the Spartans, who improved to 16-8 overall and 6-1 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. Kuluel Mading provided solid support with 15 points and six rebounds, while Jaylani Darden added 13 points on 6 of 9 shooting.

On the opposing side, Perry Smith Jr. was a standout for the Eagles, finishing with a game-high 24 points and grabbing nine rebounds. Po’Boigh King also had a notable performance, contributing 15 points along with three steals. Isaac Parson rounded out the scoring for North Carolina Central with 10 points and five assists, leaving the Eagles with a record of 10-13 and 3-3 in conference play.

This thrilling victory underscores the competitiveness of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference as the season progresses.