Baltimore, Md. – Playing its second Baltimore game in three days, the Norfolk State women's basketball team lost to Morgan State 51-48 on Monday evening. It was the Spartans' second straight loss, dropping the team to 12-10, 8-3 in the MEAC.
 
The Spartans began the game with some offensive firepower, thanks in large part to Janay Turner lighting up the floor from deep. The sophomore guard knocked down three triples in the opening period, scoring nine of the Spartans' 16 points. But the Bears didn't back down, putting 14 points on the board to remain within striking distance.
 
If the first quarter was an offensive shootout, the second was a defensive showdown. The teams combined for 14 total points, with the Spartans holding MSU to five. Mahoganie Williams, who recorded three blocks on Monday, protected the paint with pride against the Bears, altering countless shots MSU took in the lane.
 
Williams made a layup in the final minute of the second quarter, giving the Spartans a 25-19 lead at the half.  NSU held the Bears to 8-of-32 shooting (25%) in the first two quarters, 1-of-12 from three.
 
Makoye Diawara made a tough layup to get things started for the Spartans in the third quarter, but MSU responded quickly with a score on the other end. The Bears continued to provide pressure, as Jayla Atmore eventually knocked down a 3-pointer for her team's first lead since early in the second quarter.  
 
Armani Franklin responded with a three of her own on the other end for the Spartans, but Atmore hit another jumper moments later. The back-and-forth stretch lasted until the end of the third quarter, with NSU ahead 37-34.
 
The Spartans took control of the fourth quarter early. Camille Downs converted a fastbreak layup off of Lacee Savage's steal, and Diawara scored soon after to put the team up seven. But Atmore continued to hit jumpers when the Bears needed them most, helping MSU draw within two in just a few minutes.
 
NSU locked in defensively, getting the lead back to eight with under four minutes to play after a Downs mid-range basket. But once again, the Bears fought back. Adia Brisker hit a 3-pointer to start a 10-1 run to give Morgan State the lead, capped off by Ashia McCall's long ball with just over a minute remaining.
 
The Spartans, who were held without a field goal for the game's final three minutes and 58 seconds, couldn't get any points on the board in the final minute as the Bears closed out the home victory.
 
Turner finished with a team-high 11 points for NSU, shooting 4-of-10 from the field. Williams finished one point shy of a double-double, recording nine points and 10 rebounds.
 
The Spartans will return home for a battle with South Carolina State on Saturday at Echols Hall. A dominant second half helped NSU take the first meeting of the season between the teams, earning a 60-40 win on the road.