Norfolk State University’s trip to the NCAA “Big Dance” ended almost before the band began warming up.

Baylor University had the home state advantage and just about every other advantage in routing the Spartans 85-49 March 17 in the NCAA Tournament’s first round in Fort Worth, Texas.

The outcome was never in doubt. The Baylor Bears, the defending national champions, led 43-27 at halftime and never took their foot off the pedal.

Still, NSU enjoyed a banner season. The Spartans won the MEAC regular season and tournament and finished 24-7 under Coach Robert Jones.

“We’re still champions,” senior guard Joe Bryant Jr. told the media.

Bryant, the MEAC Player of the Year, was the primary focus of an aggressive, physical Baylor defense. Hounded

throughout, Bryant finished the season with 15 points and five rebounds in 35 draining minutes.

It may not have helped that the Spartans had to travel some 1,377 miles from Norfolk to Fort Worth, while the Bears were just 91 miles from their campus in Waco, Texas. The cheering, as well as the scoreboard, was all in Baylor’s favor.

It also didn’t help that Bryant’s supporting cast suffered an off day.

The Spartans hit just 32 percent from the floor and 23 percent beyond the arc, while being charged with 15 turnovers. Baylor hit 57 percent overall and 41 percent from the distance.

Senior Jalen Hawkins, NSU’s second leading scorer during the season, was benched for a disciplinary infraction and played only two minutes, failing to score.

NSU’s third leading scorer, Kris Bankston, got into early foul trouble and settled for three points and three rebounds. Bankston did, however, record his 74th dunk of the season.

On the season, Hawkins and Bankston combined for 25 points per game. Against Baylor, they had three points.

Both Bryant and Bankston are seniors but will be eligible to return next season because of the “free year” the NCAA has granted for the shortened 2019-20 season because of COVID-19.

This was NSU’s third trip to the Division I NCAAs, although it went frequently while in Division II.

This was the program’s first day one exit. The Spartans upset the University of Missouri in 2012 and toppled Appalachian State University a year ago. Both times, NSU lost in Round Two.