NORFOLK, Va. – The Norfolk State women's basketball team have jumped out to a 2-0 start in the MEAC, and are looking to make it three in a row against Howard at the Burr Gymnasium in Washington D.C. on Saturday at 2 p.m.
Last Time Out
The Spartans (8-7, 2-0 MEAC) snapped a four-game skid against Bethune-Cookman in the MEAC opener, defeating the Wildcats 61-51. The Spartans then traveled to Baltimore and dismantled Coppin State 85-48.
The Bison (9-6, 1-1 MEAC) fell 75-59 to Bethune-Cookman in their last game, a team the Spartans defeated 61-51 in NSU's MEAC opener. Howard prevailed in their MEAC opener against Maryland Eastern Shore, dropping the Hawks 79-58.
Scouting The Bison
Offensively, the Bison are as talented as any team in the MEAC. They had four players that were named to the MEAC preseason teams, and three of them are averaging at least 13 points per game.
Jayla Thornton is the Bison's leading scoring, averaging 13.8 points per game. Thornton was voted to the All-MEAC Preseason Second team prior to the start of the season.
Sarah Edmond was selected to the All-MEAC Preseason First Team after leading the Bison with 15.5 points and a MEAC Second Team selection last season. She is currently second on the team with 13.7 points per game, and leads the Bison with 3.8 assists per game.
Ayonna Williams rounds out the leading scorers for the Bison, with 13.3 points per game. Williams was also a MEAC Preseason Second Team selection.
Series History vs. Howard
This will be the 50th meeting between the two teams, and the eighth meeting during coach Vickers' tenure.
Howard holds a 33-16 series advantage over the Spartans, with majority of the damage coming from 11 straight wins from the 2008-09 season to the 2013-14 season. The Spartans have shifted the power of the rivalry as of late, winning seven of the last 10 games against Howard.
The Spartans defeated the Bison 72-51 in the last matchup between the two teams, in last year's MEAC Tournament Semifinal.
A Win over the Bison Would...
Be three wins in a row for the Spartans.
Give the Spartans a 3-0 start in the MEAC for the third year in a row.
Media Coverage
Fans can tune into the action by listening to
Hot 91.1 WNSB, with Ross Gordon on the call. Howard will provide their own
live stream, as well as the
live stats for the game.
NSU's Starting Five
Chanette Hicks averaged 24 points, five assists and six steals in the last two games. She was awarded the MEAC Defensive Player of the Week for the fifth time on Tuesday.
La'Deja James is second on the team in scoring, averaging 11.1 points per game. After being held to just two points in the Spartans' last loss against Richmond, James has averaged 14 points in the last two contests. James is also second on the team in assists, dishing out 2.4 per game.
Blaire Thomas had her fifth double-figure game of the season against Coppin State, and her first 20-point game of the season. Thomas finishing with 20 and 12 rebounds, making it her second double-double on the season. She leads the team with 6.0 rebounds per game.
Dana Echols returned to the starting lineup for the Spartans against Coppin State, scoring a season-high eight points to go along with another season-high eight rebounds.
Mikaela Jones rounds out the Spartan starting five, averaging 6.6 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. She had a career-high 15 points against Richmond.
NSU By the Numbers
5.02 - Number of assists Hicks averages per game, which is first in the MEAC and 24th in the country.
60.3 - Average number of points the Spartans have allowed to opponents per game, which ranks second in the MEAC.
12.3 - The number of steals the Spartans are averaging per game, which ranks first in the MEAC and ninth in DI.
+6.8 - NSU's turnover margin so far this season, which ranks second in the MEAC and 14th in the country.
5.2 - The number of steals Hicks averages per game, which ranks second in the country. Hicks is currently second on the active career leader's board with 366 career steals.
