NORFOLK, Va. – The Norfolk State women's basketball team won 59-51 in a close contest to Florida A&M at Echols Hall on Monday afternoon.

Both teams traded baskets to begin the game, until the Spartans (12-7, 6-0 MEAC) took a 7-5 lead following an and-one by La'Deja James just minutes into the game. It would be the Spartans' first lead that they wouldn't give up the rest of the game. The Spartans finished the quarter ahead 17-8.  James started the game strong, scoring eight of her 15 points by going 3-of-4 from the floor in the first quarter.

The second quarter was evenly played, with both teams going 4-of-12 (33.3%) from the floor for 10 points. The Spartans uncharacteristically had six turnovers in the period that led to eight points off turnovers for the Rattlers (4-15, 2-6 MEAC). FAMU's Morgan Mitchell and Caylan Jones came off the bench and each scored five points in the period, scoring all of the Rattlers' 10 points.  The Spartans maintained a nine-point 27-18 lead heading into halftime.

The Spartans scored the first basket in the third quarter, following a layup by Chanette Hicks to make the score 29-18 with 9:24 left in the period. FAMU answered with a 4-0 run that cut the Spartans' lead back down to seven, but that was as close as the Rattlers would get all evening. The Spartans were able to stretch the lead a bit more, outscoring the Rattlers 20-11 in the third quarter.

The Rattlers made it interesting in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Spartans 22-12. FAMU's Alaina Rice went off for all 11 of her points in the fourth quarter in the Rattlers' comeback attempt. The Spartans were able to answer every FAMU basket, keeping the score just over double-digits for most of the final period. The Rattlers hit a buzzer-beater to end the game by Corey Staples, but it was futile as the Spartans held on for the 59-51 win.

James led all Spartans with 15 points, while also finishing with four rebounds, four assists and five steals. Hicks finished with 12 points, adding four rebounds, two assists and three steals.  Mikaela Jones finished with 10 points and seven rebounds, her second game in a row in double-figures. Blaire Thomas and Danyael Goodhope each added eight points for NSU. Armani Franklin made a big impact defensively off the bench, finishing the game with five steals.

The Spartans have won the first six conference games for the second year in a row, and are going to finish the month of January with a 6-0 record. The Spartans head to North Carolina next weekend to play the two MEAC schools in the state, with N.C. A&T on Saturday and N.C. Central on Monday. A win against A&T on Saturday would be the Spartans best conference start since joining the MEAC.