Box Score

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Areya Walker (Portsmouth, Va.) scored 24 points and grabbed a career-high 19 rebounds, but it was not enough for Norfolk State as Savannah State defeated the Spartans 67-58 on Wednesday afternoon at the UNF Arena.

Walker, who was named to the Holiday Classic all-tournament team, was 7-of-13 from the field and 10-of-18 from the free-throw line. She had 10 offensive rebounds and nine on the defensive end. In the two tournament games, Walker averaged 19 points and 16.5 rebounds.

The game was close to start, but Savannah State (5-5) jumped out to a 10 point lead on a jumper by Patrice Robinson with 9:57 left in the first half. LaShara Smith increased the lead to 12, 29-17, with 2:39 left, but back-to-back buckets by Tashawna Higgins (Toronto, Ontario) and Genor Dalton (Martinsville, Va.) cut the deficit to six, 29-23 at half time.

The Spartans (1-7) came out with a high level of intensity in the second half. NSU got as close as 34-32 on a jumper by Danelle Tate (Stafford, Va.), but the Lady Tigers would not let NSU get any closer.

Walker hit the second of two free throws with 26 seconds left in the game, ending the scoring at 67-58.

NSU outrebounded SSU 42-25, but was only 17-of-30 from the free-throw line (56.7 percent).

For Savannah State, Antionette Williams led with 18 points. Ivy Smith had 15 points and six assists, while LaShara Smith had 12 points.

Tiffany Gadsden (Columbia, S.C.) had 10 points, five blocks, and four rebounds. Dalton and Tate each contributed seven points.

The Spartans have the next two weeks off for the Christmas break. They return to action on Thursday, January 3 when they host Virginia Union at 6 p.m.