NORFOLK, Va. – Norfolk State conquered a momentous milestone with a 71-64 victory over NJIT at Echols Hall on Saturday, going 9-1 in its first ten games of the season for the first time in the program's Division I history.
The Spartans, who extended their win streak to eight the Highlanders, put together a strong third quarter that boosted them to a desired end result.
Camille Downs led the Spartans in scoring for the second consecutive contest, racking up 22 points, four steals, and two rebounds.
Deja Francis and
Kierra Wheeler also hit a number of clutch shots in the second half, finishing with 15 and 14 points, respectively.
Makoye Diawara led the Spartans on the glass, securing seven rebounds in 24 minutes of play.
Downs got the Spartans rolling quickly, posting eight of the team's first 10 points by slashing her way through the paint.
Crystal White knocked down a mid-range jumper to put NSU ahead 14-8, but the Highlanders closed the quarter on a 9-point run to earn a three-point lead.
After NJIT's Reese Vaughan hit a 3-pointer to open the second period, Downs got the Spartans back within striking distance with a deep response of her own. She would score the team's next four points as well, giving her 15 of the team's 21 total at the time.
Diawara drilled a 3-pointer to knot the score at 37, before a pair of Wheeler free throws put NSU ahead by two at the half, its first lead since the opening quarter. The Spartans shot 11-of-12 (91.7 percent) from the charity stripe in the first half, finishing the night at a 78.3 percent clip.
The Spartans scored the first 10 points of the third quarter, taking complete control at both ends of the floor.
Da'naijah Williams came up with a steal and score in the final minute of a terrific stretch by the Spartans, before NJIT's Trinity Williams hit a 3-pointer to cut the lead to eight heading into the fourth quarter.
For the second consecutive game, Norfolk State's opponent heated up from 3-point land to attempt a late comeback push. The Highlanders got within one possession of the Spartans midway through the fourth quarter, but a string of inside scores helped NSU slow the momentum, making free throws and getting stops until NJIT ran out of chances.
With the seven-point victory, the Spartans have outscored their opponents 517-420 (+97) during the winning streak. NSU now has over a week to prepare for a 2 p.m. crosstown showdown at Old Dominion on Sunday, Dec. 11. A successful triumph over the Monarchs would tie the program's longest winning streak at the Division I level, nine games, accomplished during the 2017-18 season.
