Norfolk, Va. – Norfolk State guards Deja Francis and Camille Downs added another award to their resumes on Wednesday. Both first team All-MEAC honorees were named to the BOXTOROW All-American Second Team, further solidifying the pair's already decorated 2021-22 campaign.
 
Downs, the MEAC Defensive Player of the Year, established herself as one of the premier defenders in the country last season. Downs averaged a conference-best 3.3 steals per game, ranking fourth in the country. She became just the fourth player in NSU history to record 10 steals in a single game, reaching the mark in the Spartans' win over Morgan State on Jan. 24.
 
An efficient rebounder, Downs pulled in 10+ boards on five occasions last season. She posted double-doubles against South Carolina State and North Carolina Central, earning MEAC Player and Defensive Player of the week. She received seven MEAC weekly honors, earning POTW three times and DPOTW on four occasions.
 
Francis emerged as one of the MEAC's top point guard last year, averaging 16.7 points and 3.4 assists per game in conference play. She set a career high with 32 points against Coppin State, earning back-to-back MEAC Player of the Week recognitions in January. As the team's primary ball handler, Francis helped lead the Spartans to a share of the MEAC regular season title for the first time in program history.
 
Both Francis and Downs earned MEAC All-Tournament team honors for their roles in the Spartans' run to the championship game, with Downs knocking down the game-winning shot at the buzzer against Morgan State in the semifinals.