NORFOLK, Va. – Norfolk State women's basketball, riding its hottest 10-game start to a season in the 21^st century, heads into a crosstown showdown with Old Dominion on Sunday afternoon. The Spartans (9-1) and Monarchs (7-3) will clash at 2 p.m. in Chartway Arena, a chance for NSU's win streak to reach nine games.
 
Sunday's matchup will be broadcast live on 91.1 FM and streamed on ESPN+. A win for Norfolk State would be the team's first victory over its crosstown rival in over 45 years.
 
Last Time Out
 
Norfolk State conquered a momentous milestone with a 71-64 victory over NJIT at Echols Hall last weekend, starting the season 9-1 for the first time in the program's Division I history.
 
The Spartans put together a strong third quarter that boosted them to their eighth consecutive win. Camille Downs led the Spartans in scoring for the second consecutive contest, racking up 22 points, four steals, and two rebounds. Deja Francis followed behind with 15 and 14 points, respectively.
 
Scouting the Monarchs
 
After starting the season 2-3, Old Dominion has hit its stride, winning its last five matchups. The Monarchs comfortably defeated VCU at home on Thursday 61-44, holding the Rams to 16.7 percent shooting from 3-point range.
 
Jordan McLaughlin leads the squad with 11.2 points per game, while Amari Young excels at both ends with 10.7 points and 8.1 rebounds per contest. Kaye Clark has frustrated opposing offenses, recording 34 steals this season.
 
All-Time Series/Last Meeting
 
Old Dominion leads the all-time series between the two rivals 16-3, winning the last 14 matchups. Norfolk State's last victory against the Monarchs came by a score of 83-47 on Feb. 26, 1976.
 
ODU defeated NSU 76-47 when the teams met during the 2021-22 season, part of a nine-game win streak for the Monarchs that season. Mahoganie Williams led the Spartans with 15 points, while Armani Franklin contributed a team-high seven rebounds off the bench.
 
Defensive Downs
 
Downs has lived up to the expectations that come of a reigning conference defensive player of the year, netting another MEAC Defensive Player of the Week recognition on Tuesday, her second of the season.
 
The graduate guard racked up nine steals across two wins against Hampton and NJIT, cleaning the glass with 3.0 rebounds per contests as well.