Norfolk, Va. – Norfolk State women's basketball (12-8, 8-1 MEAC) will travel to the Charm City to face Coppin State (13-9, 7-2) on Saturday at 2 p.m. and Morgan State (13-6, 7-2) on Monday at 5 p.m. The Baltimore matchups will take place at PEC Arena (CSU) and Hill Field House (MSU). Both games will be broadcast on 91.1 F.M.
 
The Charm City looks primed for some basketball warfare this weekend. The Spartans have beaten both the Eagles and Bears once already this season, but both squads have hit their stride at the perfect time. Coppin State enters Saturday riding a five-game win streak, and Morgan State has compiled six consecutive wins of its own.
 
The Spartans currently maintain a slim edge in the MEAC, sitting a game ahead of CSU, MSU, and Howard, making this road trip pivotal in the conference. Two NSU wins could provide the cushion necessary for the Spartans' first-ever regular season title, while two losses would vehemently shake up the top of the standings.  
 
Last Time Out
 
The Spartans earned their eighth MEAC win of the season on Monday, cruising past Delaware State 76-31. Janay Turner led the team with a career-high 20 points, hitting four 3-pointers. Mahoganie Williams recorded a double-double, putting up career-highs in points (19) and rebounds (12) with an added four blocks.
 
Niya Fields facilitated the Spartans' offense with a career-high eight assists, recording a game-high four steals as well. NSU held the Hornets to 12-of-42 shooting from the field (28.6%) and 1-of-12 shooting from three (8.3%).
 
Scouting the Eagles and Bears
 
Coppin State's Jaia Alexander, a Butler transfer, is one of the most lethal offensive threats in the MEAC. She's averaging a conference-best 16.7 points per game, highlighted by a 35-point performance against Delaware State on Feb. 2. Alexander's also a beast on the boards, leading the league in rebounds per game (7.9).
 
Saturday's matchup could turn into a shootout with the Spartans and Eagles both averaging a MEAC-best 5.6 3-pointers made per game. Aliyah Lawson leads CSU and the MEAC in 3-point field goal percentage (34.1) and 3-pointers made per game (2.6).
 
The Spartans may have taken down MSU in Norfolk, Va., but it will take a disciplined performance to win the road matchup. The Bears boast a 7-1 record on their home court, with the only loss coming against the Eagles.
 
MSU uses a well-balanced scoring attack to take down opponents. Dahnye Reed leads the Bears with 10.5 points per game, with Adia Brisker and Ashia McCalla close behind at 10.1 and 9.9, respectively. Brisker only takes about three deep balls per game, but converts at an efficient rate, shooting 34% on 3-pointers.
 
Williams Earns Her Second MEAC DPOW Recognition
 
Williams received MEAC Defensive Player of the Week honors on Tuesday, after three standout performances against Howard, Maryland Eastern Shore, and Delaware State.
 
Williams averaged 9.0 rebounds, 2.0 steals, and 2.9 blocks per game for the week, anchoring an NSU defense that held opponents to 32.2 percent shooting from the field and forced 21.0 turnovers per game.
 
Tuesday marked the second time this season that Williams has received Defensive Player of the Week honors, earning the award on Dec. 7, 2021, as well.
 
NSU vs. CSU/MSU Tip-ins

• Deja Francis has taken the MEAC by storm this year. She's averaging a league-best 18.2 points per game during conference play, and shooting a league-best 81.7% from the free throw line for the season.
• Fields has facilitated the Spartans' offense with 3.4 assists per game, with Francis close behind at 2.9. Fields ranks second in the conference in that category, and first in assist to turnover ratio (1.8).
• Mahoganie Williams, standing at 6-1, has thwarted opponents at the rim all season. Her 2.5 blocks per game leads the MEAC by a wide margin, and ranks 15^th among Division I players.
• With Williams locking down the paint, Downs has controlled the passing lanes. She's averaging a conference-best 3.1 steals per game, ranking eight in Division I.
• The Spartans rank first in the conference in 3-point field goal percentage (29.9%). Downs and Janay Turner lead the team from beyond the arc, shooting 32.9% and 31.5%, respectively.
• Norfolk State was picked to finish third in the MEAC preseason poll. Morgan State was projected second, Coppin State sixth.
• Armani Franklin was the sole Spartan to earn MEAC preseason honors, voted onto the second team. Morgan State's McCalla, Ja'Niah Henson, and Dahnye Redd were all selected first team, with Brisker placed on third team. Jalynda Salley earned a second team recognition for CSU.
• On the defensive end, NSU and MSU rank first and second, respectively, in steals per game among MEAC teams, with the Spartans averaging 12.8 swipes and Morgan State averaging 11.6.