NORFOLK, Va. --- The Norfolk State women's basketball team secured its 25th consecutive victory at Echols Hall on Monday evening, defeating Delaware State 92-44.
 
Diamond Johnson led the Spartans with 31 points, adding five rebounds, three blocks, and two steals to her totals. Kierra Wheeler (18) and Anjanae Richardson (13) both scored in double-figures in the win.
 
The Spartans jumped out to a quick 7-2 lead, capped off by a Da'Brya Clark 3-pointer from the top left side of the arc. The Hornets rattled off the next eight points of the contest, pulling ahead by one point before Richardson put an end to the DSU run with a 3-pointer of her own.
 
The two teams traded baskets following the media timeout, with Brook Barnes tying the game up at 13-13 with two minutes to play in the first quarter. Wheeler used a perfectly timed pass from Richardson to get to the rim for a layup, taking a two-point advantage into the second quarter.
 
Back-to-back baskets from Johnson just before the midway point of the second quarter allowed the Spartans to gain separation from the Hornets, building their advantage to six. The two teams continued putting up strong offensive numbers following the media timeout, before Norfolk State produced a 6-2 run finished off with a Johnson layup.
 
Norfolk State used a clutch steal from Clark, leading to a Wheeler layup at the other end of the court, to take a 36-24 edge into the locker room.
 
Johnson got the Spartans going to open the second half with a pair of floaters and a free throw, pushing the Spartans' lead to 17 points. Norfolk State continued its strong offensive attack, going on a 14-2 run with Makoye Diawara draining a 3-pointer from the top of the arc.
 
DSU halted the NSU momentum, stopping the run with a Kiarra Mcelrath pull up jumper from the free throw line. Johnson rattled off seven straight points following the shot, boosting the Spartans to a 67-28 lead near the end of the third quarter.
 
The two teams traded baskets for the first half of the fourth quarter before NSU went on a 10-0 run, capped off by a Jenesis Hill layup with 3:14 left to play in the contest. The Spartans finished the game off with a pair of free throws from Richardson and a layup from Da'naijah Williams, giving the Spartans the 92-44 win.
 
Checking the Box Score

• Diamond Johnson led NSU with 31 points, adding five rebounds, three assists, and two steals to her totals
• Kierra Wheeler (18) and Anjanae Richardson (13) also scored in double figures
• Norfolk State shot 62.8 percent in the second half (22-of-35)
• The Spartans also put up impressive shooting numbers for the game, shooting 38-of-67 (56.7 percent)
• NSU outscored DSU in the paint 52-18
• The Spartans capitalized off turnovers, producing 41 points to the Hornets' four
• Monday's game featured two lead changes and one tie

 
News & Notes

• Norfolk State improved to 22-4 with the win (9-0 MEAC)
• Delaware State fell to 4-19 with the loss (0-9 MEAC)
• NSU extended its home winning streak to 25 straight games
• The Spartans now lead the all-time series 32-25
• Norfolk State swept the regular season series against Delaware State for the fifth consecutive season
• Da'Brya Clark dished a career high nine assists

 
Up Next
Norfolk State hits the road on Saturday, Feb. 22, against Coppin State in Baltimore, Md. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m.
 
For complete coverage of Norfolk State Athletics, please follow the Spartans on social media at @nsuspartans (Twitter), /NorfolkStateAthletics (Facebook), @NSUAthletics (Instagram), @nsuathletics (YouTube) or visit the official home of Norfolk State Athletics at nsuspartans.com.