DURHAM, N.C. — The Norfolk State women's basketball team opened Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) play in emphatic fashion, rolling to a 68-48 road victory over North Carolina Central on Saturday afternoon at McDougald-McLendon Arena.
With the win, the Spartans improved to 6-10 overall and 1-0 in conference action, while the Eagles dropped to 3-11 and 0-1 in the MEAC.
Senior guard Jasha Clinton led all scorers with 21 points on 8-of-14 shooting, adding six rebounds, four assists, and a game-high six steals. Anjanae Richardson joined Clinton in double figures with 14 points to go along with seven rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Da'Brya Clark and Cire Worley chipped in nine points apiece, while Ciara Bailey anchored the defensive effort with nine rebounds, four blocks, two steals, and five points.
Norfolk State set the tone early, scoring the game's first points on a Clark steal and fast-break layup. A three-pointer from Jenesis Hill, assisted by Clinton, pushed the Spartans ahead 8-2 at the 6:30 mark of the opening quarter. Norfolk State went on a 9-4 closing out the first period with a commanding 17-6 advantage after forcing 13 turnovers and recording nine steals, while also collecting 17 rebounds, including nine on the offensive glass.
After North Carolina Central opened the second quarter with a basket, the Spartans responded with a 9-0 run to extend their lead to 26-9 with 7:49 remaining in the half. Clark accounted for five points during the surge, while Clinton added the remaining four. Norfolk State stretched its advantage to 30-10 following a pair of free throws from Niyah Gaston with 5:44 to play, then capped the half with a 10-2 run to take a 40-19 lead into the break.
The Eagles opened the second half on a 6-3 run to trim the deficit to 18, but Clinton answered with five straight points to restore a 48-25 Spartan lead. NCCU closed the third quarter on a 10-2 run, cutting the margin to 50-35 entering the final period.
Clinton opened the fourth quarter with a clutch three-pointer before North Carolina Central answered with four straight points to make it a 14-point game. Norfolk State responded with back-to-back baskets to push the lead back to 18 and maintained control down the stretch. After the Eagles pulled within 61-48 with 2:22 remaining, the Spartans sealed the win with a decisive 7-0 run to close out the contest.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Final: Norfolk State 68, North Carolina Central 48
- Team Comparisons
- Points off turnovers: NSU 32, NCCU 20
- Rebounds: NSU 55, NCCU 30
- Second-chance points: NSU 31, NCCU 9
- Points in the paint: NSU 28, NCCU 18
- Fast-break points: NSU 21, NCCU 17
- Blocks: NSU 9, NCCU 3
- Time leading: NSU led for 39:36
STORY LINES
- Norfolk State earned its first victory since Dec. 11 (100-54 vs. Dillard).
- The win marked the Spartans' second Division I victory of the season (also vs. N.C. A&T on Dec. 6).
- Head coach Jermaine Woods now sits five wins shy of 50 career coaching victories.
UP NEXT
Norfolk State returns home on Thursday, Jan. 8, hosting Maryland Eastern Shore in its MEAC home opener at Joseph G. Echols Memorial Hall. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m.
