NORFOLK, Va. – Norfolk State guard Camille Downs scored a career-high 22 points and grabbed 10 rebounds against her former team on Thursday night, helping the Spartans lead wire-to-wire in a 67-56 win over UNCW at Echols Hall.

Deja Francis added a season-high 18 points for the Spartans (4-6), who won for the second time in three games by shooting a season-best 57 percent (25-of-44) from the floor.

Downs and Francis combined for 18 points in a first quarter that saw the Spartans shoot 8-of-11 (73 percent) from the floor. Francis scored the first two field goals of the game and Downs followed with three points of her own as NSU led 7-0 after three minutes.

UNCW's Sierra DaCosta hit a pair of 3-pointers late in the first quarter as the Seahawks scored 11 of the final 15 points of the period, cutting their deficit to 20-17.

Both defenses tightened up in the second quarter, as only 10 points were scored between the teams.

DaCosta converted a three-point play early in the third quarter to bring UNCW within 26-24. But that would be as close as the guests would get. NSU scored on three straight possessions thanks to buckets by Downs, Francis and a 3-pointer by Armani Franklin to go back up by nine, 33-24.

Leading by six points after three quarters, NSU closed the game in strong fashion, hitting 6-of-8 (75 percent) from the floor and 10-of-12 (82 percent) from the free-throw line in the final period. Lacee Savage scored two big baskets inside to provide a spark off the NSU bench, and Niya Fields drained a step-back 3-pointer as the shot clock expired to extend NSU's lead to 54-43 with 4:36 left.

Francis and Downs combined to go 6-for-6 from the line in the final minute to close out the win.

Downs' previous career high was 21 points, which ironically came in last year's season-opener when she played for UNCW against the Spartans in Wilmington. On Thursday, Downs, one of 10 new Spartans this season, made 6-of-12 from the floor, 2-of-6 from deep, and 8-of-9 from the line. She added 10 boards for her second double-double of the year. The reigning MEAC Defensive Player of the Week also recorded four steals, giving her 14 in her last three games, and one blocked shot.

Francis was an efficient 8-of-11 from the floor in scoring 18 points. Franklin chipped in nine points, six rebounds and three steals off the NSU bench. Forwards Mahoganie Williams and Makoye Diawara combined for 15 rebounds and six assists. They helped NSU to a 38-22 edge on the glass, its largest positive rebound margin of the season.

DaCosta scored 13 points and Micah Hoggatt 12 for UNCW, which was held to 34 percent shooting.

The Spartans play their final game before the holiday on Sunday, a 12 p.m. contest at William & Mary.