RALEIGH, N.C. (WAVY) — Norfolk State had some moments where it truly shined in its matchup with heavily-favored Florida in the opening round of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament.

Take, for instance, the 11-0 run the No. 16-seed Spartans had to close out the first half and holding the No. 1 seed Gators to just two points over the final four minutes of the half.

  • Norfolk State forward Jalen Myers blocks a shot by Norfolk State guard Christian Ings during the first half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 21, 2025, in Raleigh, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
  • Florida center Micah Handlogten (3) vies for the ball with Norfolk State forward Chris Fields Jr. during the first half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 21, 2025, in Raleigh, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
  • Florida guard Alijah Martin and Norfolk State guard Sin’Cere McMahon dive for a loose ball during the first half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 21, 2025, in Raleigh, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
  • Norfolk State guard Christian Ings (0) drives past Norfolk State guard Jaylani Darden (11) during the first half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 21, 2025, in Raleigh, N.C. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
  • Norfolk State head coach Robert Jones watches during the first half against Florida in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 21, 2025, in Raleigh, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
  • Norfolk State forward Jalen Myers blocks a shot by Norfolk State guard Christian Ings during the first half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 21, 2025, in Raleigh, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
  • Norfolk State guard Christian Ings shoots over Florida forward Alex Condonduring the first half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 21, 2025, in Raleigh, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
  • Florida guard Will Richard drives to the basket past Norfolk State guard Christian Ings during the first half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 21, 2025, in Raleigh, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
  • Florida center Micah Handlogten (3) vies for the ball with Norfolk State forward Chris Fields Jr. during the first half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 21, 2025, in Raleigh, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
  • Norfolk State guard Christian Ings (0) makes a layup in front of Florida guard Walter Clayton Jr. (1) during the first half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 21, 2025, in Raleigh, N.C. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
  • Norfolk State guard Terrance Jones (2) shoots a three-pointer while Florida guard Urban Klavzar (7) defends during the first half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 21, 2025, in Raleigh, N.C. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
  • Norfolk State head coach Robert Jones directs during the first half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament against Florida, Friday, March 21, 2025, in Raleigh, N.C. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

However, by the point Norfolk State (24-11) began its late-half run, it was already down by 32 points, and Florida (31-4) kept the Spartans at bay in an 95-69 win in the first round West Regional game Friday.

“I’m happy for these guys — we walk out of here as champions,” said Norfolk State coach Robert Jones. “Twenty-seven one-bid conferences and we were able to get a bid. I stand by what I said at the initial conference. I don’t think we should have even played Florida. … The thing is, people are going to say we lost by 26 — so. Most of the 16 seeds have lost by 26. That could have been anybody in the country. Credit to Florida, they’re a great team, but we shouldn’t have played Florida. We should have played somebody else. And I stand by that to the death. As far as moving the needle to a 15 [seed], it should have been moved already, but every time it moves, the goal posts get a little further.”

Christian Ings led Norfolk State with 16 points on 6-for-13 shooting, while Jaylani Darden had 15 points on 7-for-10 shooting and had six rebounds and three assists. Chris Fields Jr. came off the bench to add 14 points on 7-for-12 shooting.

Florida was led by Walter Clayton Jr., who had 23 points, while Alijah Martin had 17 points, Thomas Haugh had 13 and Alex Condon chipped in 12. The Gators outrebounded NSU 41-28.

The Spartans, after falling behind by 32 points, held Florida without a field goal for the last 4:34 of the first half while finishing on an 11-0 run to cut the deficit to 53-32 at intermission.

Norfolk State, which won its fourth-straight MEAC Tournament title to get an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, managed to cut the margin to under 20 points on several occasions, but Florida had enough to keep the Spartans at a comfortable distance.