HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - The Thundering Herd of Marshall University had a big first quarter, which turned out to be just enough to hold off the Spartans in a 75-69 loss for the Norfolk State women's basketball team on Saturday afternoon on Cam Henderson Center.

The Herd outscored the Spartans 29-12 in the first quarter, shooting 67% (10-15) from the field and 85.7% (6-7) from the charity stripe. The Herd's Dazha Congleton attacked the Spartan's defense in the first, scoring four of her eight points from the free throw line.

The Herd started out strong again in the second quarter, but the Spartans soon found their groove with momentum swinging in their direction after a pair of 3-pointers from Blaire Thomas and Shekinah Howard just before halftime.

The three-pointer by Thomas with 1:11 left in the second quarter started a stretch in which NSU outscored the Herd 40-19, capped off by a La'Deja James layup that gave NSU a 64-63 lead with 5:33 remaining in the game.

After the Spartans took their first lead of the game, the Herd answered with a 12-5 run led by Savannah Wheeler. Wheeler scored all eight of her second half points during Marshall's run, all within a timespan of just three minutes. She led four Marshall players in double figures on the afternoon, with 19 points.

Chanette Hicks led NSU in multiple statistical categories, finishing with 18 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Thomas also had a big game for the Spartans, close to getting a double-double with 16 points and nine rebounds. She was 4-of-6 from 3-point range.

James was third in scoring for NSU, with 11 points as well as adding five rebounds, three assists and three steals.

The Spartan's return home to Echols Hall to face University of Virginia Lynchburg for a Thursday tip off at 6 p.m.