CHARLESTON, W. Va. – The Norfolk State women's basketball team fell 72-55 to #22 West Virginia University at the Charleston Convention Center on Sunday afternoon.

A slow start hindered NSU from the get-go, as the Mountaineers held the Spartans to 2-of-16 (12.5%) from the floor in the first quarter. From that point the Spartans were forced to play catch-up following WVU's early lead by outscoring NSU 15-7 in the first quarter.

Both offenses opened up in the second quarter, with the Spartans shooting a far better 6-of-12(50%) from the floor. Even though the Spartans found a groove offensively they couldn't stop the Mountaineers, who went 8-of-13(61.5%) in the second quarter. WVU headed into halftime with a 36-22 lead.

NSU outscored WVU in the third quarter, and were able to keep the game within striking distance heading into the final quarter down 52-40. NSU was able to contain WVU to just 4-of-13 (30.8%) from the floor, but the Mountaineers did damage going 6-of-8 (75%) from the free-throw line. WVU also started to get some Spartans in foul trouble in the third, with Chanette Hicks not playing most of the quarter with four fouls.

Mikaela Jones scored the first basket of the fourth quarter to put the Spartans down by just 10 points, but the Mountaineers answered with a 10-2 run to make their lead 62-44 after a basket from Tynice Martin with 5:50 remaining.  Following Martin's basket, the Spartans answered with a 10-4 run that put them down 66-55 after a Cam Platt-Morris three-pointer with 2:17 remaining.  It was too little too late for the Spartans who had to start fouling, as the Mountaineers hit their free-throws to hold on for the 72-55 win.

Hicks had a game-high 24 points on 10-of-20 (50%) shooting from the floor, followed by WVU's Martin with 22 points. Hicks also finished with five rebounds, five assists and three steals. La'Deja James was second on the Spartans with 11 points scored, while also finishing with five rebounds and four assists.

It was the first time this season that the Spartans finished with more turnovers than their opponent, as the Spartans turned the ball over 16 times compared to the Mountaineers' 15. WVU shot better from the field finishing the game 26-of-56 (46.4%) compared to the Spartans' 22-of-58 (37.9%). The Mountaineers got to the charity stripe more often, as foul trouble became a problem for the Spartans late in the game.

The Spartans return home to host Robert Morris on Christmas break, with an 11 a.m. tip-off on Wednesday.