EL PASO, Texas (Interstat) — Two teams seeking momentum before conference play begins will meet Sunday when the Norfolk State Spartans visit the UTEP Miners at the Don Haskins Center. Norfolk State (4-8) arrives after a 68-80 loss at Grambling on Thursday, its fourth straight defeat. The Spartans’ schedule has been arduous, featuring recent road losses at Baylor, James Madison and Arizona. Their lone win in the last six games was a 136-79 rout of non-Division I Virginia-Lynchburg on Nov. 25. UTEP (3-6) has also struggled, losing its last four games. The Miners are coming off a 61-66 loss at Hawaii on Dec. 13. Their most recent victory was a 98-56 win over UT Permian Basin on Nov. 3. Like the Spartans, UTEP has found wins hard to come by against a challenging slate. The game features a compelling matchup at guard. Norfolk State is led by Elijah Jamison, who is coming off a 26-point performance against Grambling and has averaged 19.3 points over his last three games against high-major competition. His ability to create offense will be critical for the Spartans. For UTEP, forward Jamal West will be a key figure. He scored 21 points in a loss at Seattle on Dec. 7 and is a defensive presence, recording multiple blocks in two of the last three games. Both teams have endured offensive droughts. Norfolk State has been held under 70 points in seven of its eight losses, while UTEP has failed to reach 70 points in five of its six defeats. The team that establishes a consistent scoring rhythm will likely gain a decisive edge. This contest is the first of a two-game Texas swing for Norfolk State, which faces North Dakota State in El Paso on Monday. UTEP opens a brief two-game homestand before traveling to Louisiana Tech to close non-conference play on Dec. 29. Tipoff is set for Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025.