BALTIMORE – The Spartans' 22 turnovers and a late surge by the Morgan State Bears was plenty enough to get by Norfolk State women's basketball in a 73-55 MSU win on Thursday night at the Hill Field House.

MSU and NSU split the season series and both ended the season with a 12-4 conference record to tie for second place in the regular season standings. Based on conference tiebreaking procedures and NSU's victory over first place Bethune-Cookman, the Spartans will have the #2 seed heading into the MEAC Tournament.  

The Bears used a strong fourth quarter to run away late, outscoring the Spartans 20-8 in the final period. MSU shot 8-of-14 from the field, while holding the Spartans to shoot just 3-of-11. The Bears' Chelsea Mitchell scored seven of her 25 points in the fourth, while Ashia McCalla scored six points after being held scoreless the first three quarters. MSU took advantage of 11 fourth quarter rebounds, especially three big offensive rebounds that milked the clock late in the game.


When MSU threatened to take a double-figure lead in the third quarter, the Spartans responded with an 11-4 run capped off by a Shekinah Howard layup with three seconds left to cut the Bears' lead to 53-47 heading into the final period. The Spartans were able to get the transition game going during the run, getting three steals and running the floor with four fast break points.

After a closely contested first quarter, the Bears gained some breathing room in the second by outscoring the Spartans 25-16. MSU exploded to go 11-of-17 (64.7%) from the field, and 3-of-6 (50%) from downtown. The Spartans shot a very respectable 7-of-11 (63.6%), but the Bears were able to build a 39-32 lead by halftime. 

The scoring was evenly distributed for the Spartans, with three players reaching double-figures. Chanette Hicks finished with 11 points, three rebounds and two steals. La'Deja James scored 10 while adding four rebounds, three steals and two blocks. Mikaela Jones scored 10 on 4-of-6 shooting, while Armani Franklin added eight points and two steals.  

The Spartans finished the regular season with an 18-11 overall record and a 12-4 (75%) conference record. The Spartans' 75% winning percentage is the best ever win percentage in a single season since joining the MEAC.

NSU's first game will be in the quarterfinals on Wednesday at 2 p.m. against the winner of the No. 7 vs. No. 10 first-round game.