By: Sebastian Burke, Sports Information Intern
NORFOLK, Va. – The Norfolk State women's basketball team travels to Williamsburg on Friday to face the Tribe of William & Mary on Friday at noon. The Spartans look to get back in the win column, following back-to-back defeats against West Virginia and Robert Morris. This will be the last of three games in the span of six days before the Spartans get some time off for Christmas break.
Series History vs. W&M
This will be the 23rd time the Spartans have faced the Tribe, and the fourth time during coach Vickers' tenure. The Tribe hold a 14-8 series advantage, and 2-1 record against Vickers.
A Win over W&M Would...
Snap a one-game losing streak against the Tribe. W&M won last years matchup 55-44 at Echols Hall.
Snap a two-game losing streak for the Spartans.
Scouting The Tribe
W&M have had a long layoff, coming away with a 69-55 win over VCU on Dec. 8.
The Tribe are led by guard Eva Hodgson, who leads the team with 18.1 points per game, 3.7 assists per game and 2.1 steals per game. Hodgson has been lights out from deep, with a 40% clip on three-pointers.
Victoria Reynolds leads the Tribe's frontcourt, with 13.7 points per game and 5.2 rebounds per game.
Sydney Wagner is the third leading scorer for the Tribe with 8.8 points per game, and provides another deep threat for W&M.
The Starters
Chanette Hicks had her eighth 20 point game of the season against RMU, finishing with 23 points on 7-of-16 shooting from the floor. Hicks also got to the free-throw line 14 times, converting on nine free-throws. Hicks leads the team averaging 21.8 points per game, also leading the MEAC in that category. Hicks ranks 9th nationally in points per game.
La'Deja James is the second leading scorer for NSU, with 11.5 points per game. James is also second on the team with 2.6 assists per game and third on the team with 5.3 rebounds per game.
Blaire Thomas is the third leading scorer with 8.3 points per game, and leads the team with 6.2 rebounds per game. She almost came away with a double-double against RMU, finishing with nine points and eight rebounds.
Armani Franklin has started the last three games, making a difference on both sides of the floor. Franklin has averaged 7.6 points in games she's started, and is second on the team with 2.2 steals per game.
Mikaela Jones rounds out the Spartans' starting five, providing a presence in the post. She leads the team with 1.3 blocks per game, and is second with 5.9 rebounds per game.
Boogie off the Bench
Cam Platt-Morris had her second double-figure game coming off the bench, playing a career-high 23 minutes and scoring a career-high 11 points against RMU.
Pick Your Pocket Hicks
Hicks is second in the nation with 4.9 steals per game. She padded on her stats with nine steals in the last three games. As a team, the Spartans rank ninth nationally averaging 13.1 steals per game. Hicks is currently second in the NCAA active career leaders, with 342 career steals.
Media Coverage
Fans can watch the live stream provided by Flohoops.com
here, or follow the live stats
here.
NSU By the Numbers
+6.5 - NSU's scoring margin, the average amount of points they outscore their opponents. This figure ranks third in the MEAC.
13.1 - The number of steals the Spartans average per game. They rank first in the MEAC and ninth nationally in steals per game.
342 - Hicks' career steals, which ranks second in active NCAA players.
2 - Number of players averaging double-figures in scoring.
(Hicks - 21.7 & James -11.5)
21.8- The scoring average of Hicks, which ranks first in the MEAC and 10th in the country.
+8.1 - NSU's turnover margin, which ranks second in the MEAC and 12th in the country.
