NORFOLK, Va. – With a successful non-conference slate behind them, the Norfolk State women's basketball team turns its attention to MEAC play, starting with a Wednesday home game against Coppin State at 5:30 p.m.
 
The Spartans (7-5) enter the conference season on a five-game winning streak and have their sights set firmly on the program's first MEAC regular-season championship.

Media Coverage
Wednesday's game can be heard live featuring play-by-play commentary by Ross Gordon on Hot 91.1 FM and online at http://hot91.nsu.edu:8000/128. A live stream is available through Spartan Showcase Video Streaming. In addition, live stats are available.
 
Series History
NSU is 8-27 all-time against Coppin State in a series that began when Norfolk State joined the MEAC in 1997-98. The Spartans dropped the series opener 77-59 on Nov. 29, 1997 then won five of the next seven.
 
Norfolk State took the first meeting between the two teams in the 2004-05 season but lost each of the next 18 contests, not recording another victory until the 2014-15 season. Since then, NSU is 2-3 against the Eagles and took last season's meeting 49-45.
 
Jordan Strode carried the Spartans last season with 21 points and five rebounds on 8-of-17 shooting. The remainder of the team combined to go just 9-of-35 from the field.
 
The Spartans trailed by as many as 10 points early into the third quarter. The game was tied 18-18 at halftime, but the Eagles opened the second half on a 14-4 run. NSU countered with a 15-4 run of their own to regain the lead then played ahead for the remainder of the game.
 
Kayla Roberts chipped in a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds while also blocking three shots. The Spartans turned away 10 shots in the game, including four by Alexys Long.
 
No Eagle scored more than nine points in last season's matchup, and CSU shot 24.2 percent from the field. Chance Graham grabbed a game-high 16 rebounds.
 
The Opening Tip
Norfolk State rode a steady defensive effort to a 64-45 win over Longwood on Saturday. The win marked the seventh non-conference victory by the Spartans, which ties the program's Division-I record for non-conference wins. All seven victories came against D-I competition, which sets the team-high for non-conference wins over D-I opponents.
 
The Spartans extended their winning-streak to five games on Saturday, the longest such streak in head coach Larry Vickers' tenure. Last season's team won four-consecutive games starting with Morgan State on Jan. 4 and ending with a one-point loss to Hampton on Jan. 21.
 
Roberts led all scorers on Saturday with 14 points. The senior guard/forward recorded eight points in the third quarter and made all three shot attempts. As a team, the Spartans shot 50 percent from the floor in the third quarter to help build a 19-point advantage.
 
NSU limited the Lancers to 45 points -- 12 below their season average -- on 27.1 percent shooting. The Spartans have held opponents below their scoring average in 11 of 12 games this season.
 
The Spartans pressured Longwood into 24 turnovers and scored 23 points off those giveaways. NSU committed a season-low 14 turnovers and yielded only five points off the miscues.
 
Norfolk State assisted on 12 field goals in the win and have notched 10 or more assists in five-straight games.
 
Long made both of her attempts from 3-point range to extend her streak of games with a made trey to five. In those five games, Long is shooting 60 percent (9-of-15) from deep.
 
Scouting Coppin State
The Eagles enter MEAC play on a nine-game losing streak following a 113-49 loss to then-No. 14-ranked Maryland on Dec. 20. Coppin State's lone win of the season came against Mount St. Mary's, 68-54, on Nov. 18.
 
Coppin State has been out-scored by an average of 25 points this season, but three of the Eagles' losses came against teams currently ranked in the top-15 of the latest AP Poll (No. 6-ranked Baylor, No. 12-ranked West Virginia and Maryland).
 
CSU's success is predicated on Genesis Lucas, who leads the MEAC in nine statistical categories, including points per game (17.9) and assists per game (4.2). The redshirt-senior also ranks second in the conference in rebounding (8.4) and fourth in steals per game (2.3).
 
As a team, the Eagles struggle with shooting accuracy and rank in the bottom 20 percent nationally in both field goal percentage and 3-point field goal percentage. However, Coppin State is stellar from the free throw line, shooting 75.6 percent to lead the MEAC. Three Eagles shoot at least 80 percent on free throws, including Lucas (83.3).
 
NSU vs. the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference
Norfolk State enters its 21st season of competition in the MEAC. NSU joined the conference for the 1997-98 season but was ineligible for postseason play.
 
In those 20 seasons the Spartans have accrued a 124-210 mark in conference games. NSU has just three seasons with a winning conference record, including a 9-7 result last year. The Spartans have never turned in consecutive winning seasons in the MEAC.
 
NSU is still searching for its first regular-season MEAC title and has just one tournament title to show, having won the 2002 MEAC Tournament
 
Many MEAC teams are former CIAA rivals of the Spartans, and NSU is 207-258 all-time against teams currently in the MEAC with winning records over Maryland Eastern Shore (25-16), Morgan State (21-15), North Carolina Central (19-7) and South Carolina State (20-18). The Spartans are also 6-6 against Savannah State.
 
Vickers begins his second full season of MEAC play and is 12-14 in conference action.
 
Non-Conference Play By The Numbers
27: The Spartans held Campbell to 27 points to set the program's D-I era record for fewest points surrendered. The 27 points were also the fewest scored by a D-I opponent in team history. The Fighting Camels shot just 14.6 percent in the loss.
 
21: Norfolk State recorded a season-high 21 assists in its 86-76 win over Towson. NSU registered 10 or more assists in the final five games of non-conference play and was 6-1 when having 10 or more assists in the non-conference schedule.
 
19: NSU's largest non-conference loss came at Navy, 70-51 in the second game of the season.
 
14: The Spartans blocked 14 shots in their season-opening win at VCU. NSU recorded double-digit blocks in four non-conference games, including a stretch of three-straight games to start the year.
 
7: NSU won seven non-conference games to match the program's D-I era record for non-conference wins. All seven victories came against D-I competition.
 
5: Norfolk State ended non-conference action on a five-game winning streak to salvage a 2-5 start. The five-straight wins are the most in the Vickers era.
 
0.3: Time remaining on the clock when Roberts made two free throws to give NSU a 52-51 win over St. Francis Brooklyn. The Spartans trailed by 10 at the break and led for only 28 seconds of game time.

Those Smothering Spartans
Through 12 games this season, Norfolk State has been one of the most-prolific shot-blocking teams in the nation. NSU averages 7.6 rejections per game, which is third in D-I. The Spartans' 91 total blocks also rank fourth nationally. NSU has recorded more blocks than its opponent in nine of its 11 games and has not lost the block battle only once.
 
NSU rejected VCU 14 times in its season opener. Those 14 blocks are tied for the fourth-most in a single game in Division-I this season. Khadedra Croker accounted for seven of those blocks, and that mark is tied for the 12th-most by an individual in D-I this year.
 
This year, NSU is second in the MEAC in scoring defense (57.3 points per game) and first in defensive field goal percentage (33.7 percent).
 
Norfolk State set the program's Division-I record for fewest points allowed in a game in its 53-27 win over Campbell on Monday while limiting the Fighting Camels to 14.6 percent shooting. This season, the Spartans have held 11 of their 12 opponents below their season average in scoring and are 6-5 in those games.
 
The Spartans finish off possessions with hard work on the glass. NSU is third in the MEAC in total rebounding (40.4) and second in defensive rebounds per contest (27.7). The Spartans are also third in the conference in defensive rebounding percentage, grabbing 66.4 percent of their opponent's misses.
 
Last season, the Spartans ranked third in the MEAC in scoring defense, allowing only 57.8 points per game. Opponents shot just 33.4 percent from the field against NSU, which ranked third nationally. NSU blocked nearly six shots per game last season -- a mark that topped the MEAC and ranked sixth in Division I. The Spartans set the DI program record in total blocks (178) and trailed only the 1991-1992 team for the most rejections (211) in team history.
 
Spartan Spotlight
Kayla Roberts

• Scored her 1,000th-career point against Florida A&M in the 2017 MEAC Tournament Quarterfinals.
• Second all-time in blocked shots (129). Ranks in the top-10 in four career categories and is top-20 in seven other categories.
• Ranks 14th in all-time (1,164) and is 18th in per-game (11.8) scoring at NSU.
• 2x MEAC Defensive Player of the Week selection in 2017-18 (Nov. 21, Nov. 28). Also named MEAC Player of the Week on Dec. 19.
• Recorded first double-double of the season (14 points, 11 rebounds) against Loyola (Md.) on Nov. 21, 2017 and has 27 in her career.
• Has 61-career double-digit scoring games (12-career 20-point games).
• Has led NSU in scoring 34 times, in rebounds 53 times, in blocks 39 times and in steals 27 times in her career (ties included).
• Is fourth in the MEAC in per-game scoring (13.7).
• Ranks 10th in the conference in rebounds per game (6.8).
• Has the 118th-most blocks in the nation (19) and is fourth in the conference in blocks per game (1.6).
• Ranks fourth in the MEAC in defensive rebounds per game (5.5).
• Is tied for the ninth-best 3-point field goal percentage in the MEAC (36.4).
• Is 13th in the conference in steals per game (1.9).
• Ranks 115th among active Division-I players in career points and is 15th in both career rebounding average and rebounds in D-I.
• Has the 27th most double-doubles among active D-I players. 

Khadedra Croker

• Blocked seven shots at VCU in season opener on Nov. 12, 2017.
• Her seven blocks against VCU are tied for the fifth-most by a Spartan in a single game and are tied for the 12th-most blocks by a player in D-I this year.
• Recorded a block in 11 of 12 games this season and blocked multiple shots in 10 games.
• Has the seventh-most blocks (39) in a single season in NSU's D-I history.
• Earned MEAC Defensive Player of the Week honors on Dec. 19 and Dec. 26.
• Scored the game-winning bucket with 4.2 seconds remaining against UNCG on Dec. 15, 2017.
• Reached double figures in scoring (10) for the first time vs. St. Francis Brooklyn on Nov. 25, 2017 and has done so for four times.
• Set career highs with 19 points and three assists at William & Mary.
• Ranks sixth nationally in blocks per game (3.3) and 13th in total blocks (39).
• Also tops the MEAC rejections per game.
• Owns the 14th-best field goal percentage in the MEAC (42.5)
• Ranks 19th in the conference in total rebounding (5.6). 

Alexys Long

• Is shooting 50 percent from deep this season, the best mark in D-I program history and the second-best mark all-time.
• Ranks second in career 3-point field goal percentage (39.5).
• Set career bests in points (17), 3-pt. field goals made (5) and attempted (7) against VCU on Nov. 12, 2017.
• Had her first 10-rebound game against Bowling Green on Nov. 24, 2017.
• Matched a career-high with three assists vs. Loyola (Md.) on Nov. 21, 2017.
• Has scored in double-figures in five games this season.
• Is first in the MEAC in 3-point field goal percentage (50.0) and is tied for ninth in 3-point field goals made per game (1.7).
• Is 27th in scoring in the MEAC (9.3). 

Raven Russell

• Broke the 20-point barrier for the first time with 21 points against Towson on Dec. 12, 2017.
• Had seven assists vs. Towson to match the individual season high for NSU.
• Scored 13 points in her Spartan debut against VCU on Nov. 12, 2017.
• Shot 2-for-5 from deep and shared the game high in steals (4) vs. VCU.
• Grabbed a season-high seven rebounds at William & Mary.
• Has eight games with double-figure points this year.
• Is tied for 17th in the MEAC in per-game scoring (11.2).
• Ranks fourth in the conference with a 49.5 field goal percentage. 

Armani Franklin

• Led all bench scorers with 10 points at VCU on Nov. 12, 2017.
• Led all players with seven assists and shared the game high in steals (4) vs. VCU.
• Started first career game vs. Bowling Green on Nov. 24, 2017.
• Made 6-of-8 free throws vs. St. Francis Brooklyn on Nov. 25, 2017, matching a season-high 10 points.
• Made her first-career 3-pointer vs. Towson on Dec. 12, 2017.
• Shared the team high and set a career high with six rebounds vs. Towson.
• Scored a season-high 14 points to lead NSU vs. UNCG on Dec. 15, 2017 while also going 6-of-7 from the field. 

Yazmen Hannah

• •Redshirted last season for medical reasons.
• Named to the MEAC All-Rookie Team in 2015-16.
• Made season debut vs. Navy.
• Scored a season-high 12 points on 4-of-4 shooting at William & Mary.
• Started first game of the season against High Point and set a season high with seven rebounds.
• Is shooting 5-of-6 in the past two games and 3-of-4 from 3-pt. range. 

Gabrielle Swinson

• Made season debut vs. Towson on Dec. 12, 2017 and scored 18 points while grabbing six rebounds and dishing out six assists.
• Notched a career-high 11 assists at William & Mary.
• Has led NSU in assists four times this season and 15 times in her career.
• Registered a season-high three steals at Longwood.
• Averaged 10 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists last season. 

Kendrea Dawkins

• Blocked four shots and grabbed four rebounds against VCU.
• Scored her first points as a Spartan against Navy.
• Grabbed a season-high five rebounds twice. Has four or more rebounds in six games this year.
• Scored a season-best 10 points and made her first trey of the year vs. Towson on Dec. 12, 2017. 

De'Janaire Deas

• Set a season high with six points and matched a season high with four rebounds vs. ECU on Dec. 2, 2017.
• Went a perfect 3-of-3 from the field at ECU, setting a career-high in field goals.
• Set a career high in steals with two vs. UNCG on Dec. 15, 2017. 

Shayla Tanner

• Scored a season-high three points in nine minutes at VCU on Nov. 12, 2017.
• Ranked fifth on the team in blocks (12) last season.
• Scored a career-best 11 points against Florida A&M in the MEAC Tournament Quarterfinals on March 9, 2017. 

Alexis Sparkman

• Made her first-career 3-pointer as a Spartan against VCU.
• Played a season-high 18 minutes vs. High Point on Nov. 29, 2017.
• Made a 3-point field goal in each of her first three games this season.
• Recorded a season-high two steals at Longwood. 

Zairya West

• Started first-career game against VCU on Nov. 12, 2017.
• Recorded three points and two assists in 21 minutes vs. VCU.
• Scored a season-high five points vs. UNCG on Dec. 15, 2017. 

What's Next?
Norfolk State begins a stretch of four-straight road games starting with a 2 p.m. clash with North Carolina A&T on Saturday. The Spartans then face North Carolina Central the following Monday at 5:30 p.m.