NORFOLK, Va. – Norfolk State women's basketball opens the home portion of its schedule on Tuesday night at 6 p.m. against Cheyney. The Spartans (0-2) will look to get their offense back on track inside the familiar environment of Joseph G. Echols Memorial Hall.
The Opening Tip
Early struggles shooting the ball doomed the Spartans in their 69-53 loss at Old Dominion on Friday night. NSU made just one field goal in the first quarter and trailed by 17, 23-6, with eight minutes and 14 to go in the second quarter.
After falling behind by 17, the Spartans out-scored the Monarchs (2-0) 21-10 in the second quarter and went to the half down six, 33-27.
La'Deja James came up large in the second quarter, scoring 10 points on 4-of-5 shooting.
ODU undid much of the Spartans' hard work with an 11-2 run in the third quarter and led 49-34 with 4:02 to play in the period. The Spartans scored only four points in nearly six minute's time, missing three of four attempts and giving the ball away four times.
Norfolk State clawed back into the game on the strength of a 7-0 run to close out the third quarter.
Danyael Goodhope started the run with a steal and assist on a fast break layup. The Norfolk native assisted on all three of the Spartans' baskets during the run and finished the game with a career-best six assists.
The Monarchs ended all hopes of a comeback with a 14-0 run in the fourth quarter. ODU built a 20-point lead at 63-43 with 4:02 to play then kept NSU at bay.
Sizing up Cheyney
The Wolves (0-2) cap a three-game tour of Virginia on Tuesday. Cheyney started the season with a 106-25 loss at Virginia Union on Friday before falling to Virginia State the next day, 75-48. Cheyney shot 16.4 percent from the floor against the Panthers while allowing Virginia Union to shoot 52.7 percent. VUU saw five players break double figures in scoring in a game that set the program's record for margin of victory.
The Wolves shot an improved 30.8 percent against Virginia State but made only one of their 11 attempts from deep. The Trojans shot only 32.9 percent from the floor but took 19 more attempts on the strength of 18 offensive rebounds and 23 Cheyney turnovers.
Marlon Herring nearly recorded a double-double for the Wolves against Virginia State, finishing the game with 13 points and nine rebounds. Through two games, the senior forward leads her team in scoring (9.0), rebounds (8.0) and assists (2.5).
All-Time Series vs. Cheyney
Tuesday marks the fourth meeting all-time between the two programs and the first in 28 seasons. The Spartans and Wolves first met on Feb. 10, 1980, a 77-51 Cheyney victory.
NSU cruised past the Wolves in the last meeting, winning 75-48 on Dec. 17, 1990. The Spartans made over half of their shot attempts in the victory, while holding Cheyney to 21.4-percent shooting. Samantha Thompson led all scorers with 18 points in that game to go along with five steals. Sheila Vereen narrowly missed a double-double, finishing with nine points and 12 rebounds.
What's Ahead?
NSU's home stand continues on Sunday afternoon, when the Spartans host Navy at 4 p.m. Two days later, Campbell comes to town for an 11 a.m. game on Nov. 20 – Norfolk State's final home game until Dec. 12.
