NORFOLK, Va. – After a hard-fought road contest at Penn State, Norfolk State women's basketball remains on the road this weekend for a Sunday evening bout at College of Charleston.
 
The Spartans (1-1) and Cougars (1-0) will tip-off at 6 p.m., the second meeting between the schools in the past two seasons. Sunday's edition  at TD Arena will be available for livestream on FloHoops, after Charleston won last year's matchup 66-62 in Norfolk, Va.
 
Last Time Out
 
NSU came up just short of a road upset on Wednesday in Happy Valley, falling 67-61 to Big Ten foe Penn State. The Spartans held the Nittany Lions to 37.7 percent shooting from the floor, 28.0 percent from beyond the arc.
 
Deja Francis led the Spartans with 13 points, while Crystal White added 11 points including a trio of 3-pointers off the bench. Kierra Wheeler reached double-digit rebounds for the second straight game, recording seven points and 10 rebounds.
 
Norfolk State stayed within striking distance the entire night, making a furious final push in the fourth quarter. Makoye Diawara knocked down a 3-pointer with under two minutes remaining, cutting Penn State's lead to one. The Nittany Lions held on in the final stretch, though thanks to several offensive rebounds.
 
Scouting the Cougars
 
After a strong 2021-22 campaign, the Cougars enter this season with high expectations. They were picked to finish second in the 2022-23 CAA Preseason Coaches Poll, with Jenna Annechiarico earning Preseason All-CAA First Team honors.
 
Charleston had no trouble getting going in the team's first matchup of the season, defeating Meredith 89-30. Annechiarico opened her senior year with 25 points, shooting 8-of-8 from the free throw line, while Jada Logan added 11 points and six steals.
 
Last Meeting / All-Time Series
 
College of Charleston escaped Echols Hall with a four-point victory when the teams met last season, thanks to clutch performances by a pair of veterans. Grace Abercrombie, a graduate transfer, posted 25 points, while Peyton Martin added 19 points and 10 rebounds.
 
Downs scored 15 points off the bench for the Spartans and Francis nearly garnered a double-double with 10 points, nine rebounds. Norfolk State's guards put together a spectacular defensive effort on Annechiarico, allowing no points from the All-CAA Second Team selection in 40 minutes.