By: Sebastian Burke, Sports Information Intern
Box Score WASHINGTON D.C. – The Norfolk State women's basketball team defeated the Howard Bison 83-80, in a fast-paced game at the Burr Gymnasium in Washington D.C. on Saturday afternoon.
Down 48-40 at halftime in a high-scoring first half, the Spartans (9-7, 3-0 MEAC) started clicking on both sides of the floor in the third quarter scoring 23 points and holding the Bison (9-7, 1-2 MEAC) to just nine points.
Chanette Hicks single-handedly brought the Spartans back to start the second half, snagging five of her nine steals in the third quarter. The Spartans had eight of their 15 steals in the third quarter, scoring 12 of their 33 points off turnovers.
The Spartans entered the final quarter up 63-57, and started the period on a 6-2 run that built the Spartans' largest lead at 69-59 following a Hicks' jumper with 7:23 remaining in the game. The Bison refused to go down, retaking a 74-73 lead with 3:35 left after an Ayonna Williams three-pointer. The Spartans would get the lead back on the next possession, after another Hicks' jumper with 2:06 left in regulation. The Bison were forced to foul late, with
Armani Franklin hitting two clutch free-throws in the last 10 seconds of the game to make the score 83-80. The Bison had one more chance to tie the game and send it to overtime, but Ayonna Williams could not come in the clutch as the Spartans held on for the lead.
Both teams were trading baskets in the first quarter, setting the tone for the game that had a track-meet feel with both teams running the floor in transition. The Bison were able to open up a slight lead in the second quarter, outscoring the Spartans 29-21 in the period and setting up the Spartans' second-half comeback.
Hicks led the Spartans with 30 points, her third 30-point game of the season. Hicks also finished the game with five rebounds, seven assists, nine steals and two blocks in a stat-stuffing performance for the Spartans.
La'Deja James scored 24 points in the contest, providing a three-point threat for the Spartans by shooting 4-7 from behind the arc. James also had three rebounds, three assists and two steals in the game.
Blaire Thomas was the third leading scorer for NSU, finishing with 10 points along with three rebounds.
Armani Franklin provided lots of energy off the bench on both sides of the floor for NSU, scoring eight points and snagging two steals.
Ayonna Williams led the Bison with 27 points, shooting 4-of-5 from behind the arc. Despite Williams' scoring prowess, the Spartans forced Williams into 12 turnovers in the contest. The Spartans bottled up Sarah Edmund for the most of the matchup, scoring 17 points on just 3-of-12 shooting from the floor. Edmund did get to the free-throw line however, scoring eight of her 17 points from the charity stripe.
The Spartans have improved at the free-throw line recently, hitting over 75% of their free-throws in the last two games. Even though the Bison (46.6%) had a higher shooting percentage than the Spartans (39.7%), NSU made up the difference with more points off turnovers (33) and fast break points (22).
The Spartans get ready for a three-game home stand starting with Maryland Eastern Shore at Echols Hall on Saturday at 4 p.m.
