SAVANNAH, Ga.  – Norfolk State women's basketball goes for its second-straight 4-0 start in MEAC play when it squares off with Savannah State in Tiger Arena Monday night at 6 p.m.
 
The Spartans (10-5, 3-0 MEAC) conclude a stretch of three-straight road games on Monday before playing three of the next four games at Joseph Echols Hall.

Media Coverage
Monday'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 video stream as well as live stats are also available.
 
Series History
Monday marks the 13th all-time meeting in a series that began in 2001-02. NSU won five of the first six games before suffering a four-game losing streak.
 
The two teams split a pair of games in 2016-17 with the home team prevailing both times. Norfolk State won 61-55 at Echols Hall on Jan. 11 behind 16 points by Dominique Harper. The Spartans shot 40 percent from the field while holding Savannah State to 29.6 percent and 20 turnovers.
 
Harper again led NSU in scoring with 15 points in the return matchup, a 59-53 loss on Feb. 6. The Spartans shot only 32.3 percent from the field and 20 percent behind the arc, while SSU made 40 percent of its field goals. Norfolk State led 23-21 at the half, but the Lady Tigers won the third quarter 19-9 behind a period-ending 11-1 run.
 
The Opening Tip
Norfolk State nearly led wire-to-wire in a tense 71-67 win over South Carolina State on Saturday. The Spartans led by 19 in the second quarter and held a lead for 39 minutes and 28 seconds of game time, but the Lady Bulldogs rallied for a 21-5 run to take a 56-55 lead with 4:49 remaining in the game.
 
NSU quickly regained the lead and used a 7-0 run to gain a 69-61 edge with 1:45 left on the clock. S.C. State again cut the deficit to two points with an opportunity to tie or take the lead, but Bryeasha Blair turned the ball over on a drive to the basket with four seconds remaining.
 
Blair shared the game high with 20 points, all coming in the second half. Kayla Roberts matched Blair with her second-straight game with 20 points on 7-of-14 shooting and four made 3-pointers. Roberts also grabbed seven rebounds and assisted on three baskets.
 
The Spartans led 22-11 after one quarter behind a determined defensive effort. SCSU made just one field goal in the period, shot 9.1 percent from the field and missed all three of its treys. The Lady Bulldogs kept their head above water by going to the free throw line 13 times and making nine. For the game, S.C. State set opponent season highs in free throws attempted (32) and made (25).
 
NSU shot a season-best 81.8 percent from the charity stripe on Saturday and have made 77.9 percent of its freebies since conference play began, the best mark in the MEAC. Raven Russell made all 12 of her attempts at the line on Saturday, which is tied for the sixth-most free throws made by a Spartan in a single game.
 
Scouting Savannah State
The Lady Tigers (2-14, 0-5 MEAC) dropped their 10th-straight game, 81-53 to Hampton on Saturday. Hampton scored the first nine points of the game and never trailed.
 
SSU turned the ball over 38 times in the loss, which led to 37 points by HU. The Lady Tigers average 20.5 turnovers per game, which ranks 334th in Division-I. Savannah State's 0.32 assist-to-turnover ratio ranks last amongst all D-I teams.
 
Jalea Gray scored a season-high 15 points to pace SSU on Saturday. Kaylee Allen leads the Lady Tigers in scoring average (13.6) and had 10 against Hampton.
 
Savannah State limited Hampton to 33.8 percent shooting from the field but is allowing opponents to shoot 43.4 percent over the course of the season.
 
Five players recorded seven rebounds on Saturday as SSU out-rebounded Hampton 47-42. Alexxus Sowell was one of those five players and leads the Lady Tigers with 7.8 boards per game.
 
NSU vs. the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference
Norfolk State enters its 21st season of competition in the MEAC. In those 20-plus seasons the Spartans have accrued a 127-210 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 210-258 all-time against teams currently in the MEAC with winning records over Maryland Eastern Shore (25-16), Morgan State (21-15), North Carolina Central (20-7) and South Carolina State (21-18). The Spartans are also 17-17 vs. North Carolina A&T and 6-6 against Savannah State.
 
Head Coach Larry Vickers begins his second full season of MEAC play and is 15-14 in conference action.
 
Going Streaking
Norfolk State enters Monday on an eight-game winning streak. The Spartans last lost on Dec. 2, 51-46 at East Carolina. Since then, NSU has scored 70 points per game while out-scoring the competition by over 12 points per game. Norfolk State is shooting 42.2 percent from the field and 40.7 percent from 3-point range during the eight-game surge while holding opponents to 32.7 percent shooting, including 28 percent from deep.
 
Roberts is averaging a team-best 17 points in the past eight games while making 18 of her 33 attempts from beyond the arc (54.5 percent). Alexys Long has been equally deadly from deep, shooting 50 percent.
 
The eight-game streak is the longest winning streak in the program's Division-I era. The Spartans had multiple winning streaks of five games in the early D-I years but had not won five straight since the 2001-02 team won its last two regular-season contests and went 3-0 in the MEAC Tournament.
 
As of Sunday, the winning streak is the longest among all HBCUs and is tied for the 11th-longest in the nation.
 
Those Smothering Spartans
Through 15 games this season, Norfolk State has been one of the most-prolific shot-blocking teams in the nation. NSU averages 7.7 rejections per game, which is second in D-I. The Spartans' 116 total blocks also rank ninth nationally. NSU has recorded more blocks than its opponent in 12 of its 15 games and has 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 21st-most by an individual in D-I this year.
 
Croker has been an intimidating force in the paint and leads the MEAC while ranking sixth in D-I with 3.4 blocks per game. The redshirt junior has recorded a block in 13 of 14 games this season with multiple rejections in 12 contests.
 
NSU is second in the MEAC in scoring defense (58.1 points per game) and first in defensive field goal percentage (33.3 percent).
 
On the national level, the Spartans rank third in defensive field goal percentage and 42nd in scoring defense.
 
Norfolk State set the program's Division-I record for fewest points allowed in a game in its 53-27 win over Campbell on Dec. 18 while limiting the Fighting Camels to 14.6 percent shooting. This season, the Spartans have held 12 of their 14 opponents below their season average in scoring and are 7-5 in those games.
 
The Spartans finish off possessions with hard work on the glass. NSU is third in the MEAC in total rebounding (41.5) and first in defensive rebounds per contest (28.5). The Spartans are also second in the conference in defensive rebounding percentage, grabbing 68.4 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.
 
The Spartans ranked third in the MEAC in scoring defense in 2016-17, 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 (133). Ranks in the top-10 in seven career categories and is top-20 in four other categories.
• Is tied for 11th in all-time (1,222) points and ranks 18th in per-game (12.0) 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 64-career double-digit scoring games (14-career 20-point games).
• Has led NSU in scoring 37 times, in rebounds 53 times, in blocks 39 times and in steals 28 times in her career (ties included).
• Is second in the MEAC in per-game scoring (14.8).
• Ranks ninth in the conference in rebounds per game (6.8).
• Is fifth in the conference and 115th in the nation in blocks per game (1.5).
• Fourth in the MEAC in defensive rebounds per game (5.1).
• Ranks third in the MEAC in 3-point field goal percentage (40.4).
• Tied for 10th in the conference and 165th in D-I in steals per game (2.0).
• Ranks 127th among active Division-I players in career points and is 17th in career rebounding average and 24th in rebounds in D-I.
• Has the 32nd-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 19th-most blocks by a player in D-I this year.
• Recorded a block in 13 of 14 games this season and blocked multiple shots in 12 games.
• Has the fifth-most blocks (48) in a single season in NSU's D-I history. Is tied for ninth for the single-season blocks all-time.
• 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 (3.4) and 16th in total blocks (48). Also tops the MEAC rejections per game.
• Owns the eighth-best field goal percentage in the MEAC (43.7)
• Ranks 19th in the conference in total rebounding (5.9). Ranks ninth in defensive rebounds (4.4).

Alexys Long

• Is shooting 47.1 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 (39.3).
• 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 six games this season.
• Is first in the MEAC in 3-point field goal percentage (47.1) and is 10th in 3-point field goals made per game (1.7).
• Is 29th 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.
• Made all 12 of her free throws at S.C. State. Tied for the sixth-most free throws in a single game by a NSU player.
• Had a season-high seven assists vs. Towson.
• 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 nine games with double-figure points this year.
• Is 17th in the MEAC in per-game scoring (11.3).
• Ranks third in the conference with a 47.5 field goal percentage. Also fourth in the conference in free throw percentage (80.5).
• Currently owns the ninth-highest field goal percentage in NSU's D-I era and has the eighth-best free throw percentage in a single season.

Armani Franklin

• Led all bench scorers with 10 points at VCU.
• Led all players with seven assists and shared the game high in steals (4) vs. VCU.
• Started first career game vs. Bowling Green.
• Made 6-of-8 free throws vs. St. Francis Brooklyn, matching a season-high 10 points.
• Made her first-career 3-pointer vs. Towson.
• Matched her season high with six rebounds at N.C. Central.
• Scored a season-high 14 points to lead NSU vs. UNCG on 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.
• Has 20th-highest career 3-point field goal percentage in NSU history (27.3).

Gabrielle Swinson

• Made season debut vs. Towson 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 seven times this season and 18 times in her career (ties included).
• Registered a season-high three steals at Longwood.
• Blocked a career-best two shots vs. Coppin State.

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 seven games this year.
• Scored a season-best 10 points and made her first trey of the year vs. Towson.
• Made first start of the season at South Carolina State.

De'Janaire Deas

• Set a season high with six points and matched a season high with four rebounds vs. ECU.
• 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.
• Made a career-best three free throws at N.C. Central.
• Grabbed a career-high 10 boards at S.C. State.

Shayla Tanner

• Scored a season-high three points in nine minutes at VCU.
• Ranked fifth on the team in blocks (12) last season.
• Grabbed a season-best seven rebounds at N.C. Central.
• 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.
• 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.
• Recorded three points and two assists in 21 minutes vs. VCU.
• Scored a season-high six points vs. Coppin State. Also set season-best in field goals made (three).

What's Next?
Norfolk State hosts the two Florida schools, starting with Bethune-Cookman on Saturday at 4 p.m. Florida A&M awaits next Monday at 5:30 p.m.