NORFOLK, Va. – The Norfolk State women's basketball team defeated Maryland Eastern Shore for their fourth straight win, dropping the Hawks 68-45 at Echols Hall on Saturday afternoon.
Both teams entered the second period tied when the Spartans (10-7, 4-0 MEAC) gained some breathing room, outscoring the Hawks (4-13, 1-3 MEAC) 18-7 in the frame. NSU held MDES to just 3-of-15 (20%) shooting in the quarter and 0-of-6 (0%) from behind the arc. The strong second quarter helped the Spartans take a 36-25 lead heading into halftime, and they never looked back.
NSU kept their momentum going in the third quarter, starting the period on a 10-2 run to help build a 47-27 lead at the 4:24 mark following a layup by
Ta'Liyah Edmonds. The Hawks were able to bring the Spartans lead down to 13 points with 1:10 left in the third quarter, but NSU answered with a three-pointer by
Blaire Thomas in the final seconds of the period to send the Spartans into the fourth up 51-35.
The Hawks started the fourth quarter on a 5-3 run to close the Spartans lead to 13 points once again, but that's as close as they would get the rest of the night.
Chanette Hicks closed out the game with seven of her 17 points in the fourth quarter to seal the Spartans' win.
The Spartans had a promising start to the game, jumping out to an 8-2 lead behind two early three-pointers by
La'Deja James. The Hawks answered with a 16-10 run to close the first quarter with both teams tied at 18-18.
James and Hicks led NSU with 17 points each. James also had four rebounds and two assists, while Hicks added three rebounds, six assists and three steals.
Blaire Thomas had her sixth double-figure game of the season, finishing with 12 points and seven rebounds. The freshman Edmonds finished with a career-high eight points and three rebounds.
As a team, the Spartans shot 24-of-70 (34.3%) while holding the Hawks to 18-of-59 (30.5%). The Spartans shot 5-of-17 (29.4%) from behind the arc compared to the Hawks 4-of-16 (25%), as well as outscoring the Hawks 36-12 in the paint. Just like they have all season against other opponents, the Spartans held the advantage in fast break points (14-0) and points off turnovers (21-8).
The Spartans continue a three-game homestand at Echols Hall with South Carolina State next Saturday at 4 p.m.
