Norfolk State [14-3, 2-0 MEAC] vs. Howard [6-9, 2-0 MEAC]
Date/Time	Saturday, January 14, 2023 | 2:00 P.M. | Gameday
Location	Norfolk, Virginia | Joseph G. Echols Memorial Hall
Tickets	Purchase Tickets Here
Game Promotion	Gold Out Game
TV/Streaming	HBCU League Pass+
Radio	WNSB (HOT) 91.1 FM
Live Stats	nsuspartans.com or click here
All-Time Series	Howard leads series, 36-20
First Meeting	Norfolk State 63, Howard 43 [1975-1976]
Last Meeting	Howard 61, Norfolk State 44 [2021-2022]
Longest Series Winning Streak	Howard - 11
Current Winning Streak	Howard - 1
Social Media	Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

NORFOLK, Va. | The Norfolk State University women's basketball team returns home on Saturday as the Spartans face Howard in a battle of unbeaten Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) teams at Joseph G. Echols Memorial Hall.
 
NSU and Howard will tip-off on Saturday at 2 p.m. and the game will be streamed live on HBCU League Pass+.
 
The two teams have been the best in the conference over the past few years. During the 2021-2022 season, Howard got the better end of the rivalry, winning two of the three games played, including a 61-44 victory in the MEAC Women's Basketball Tournament Championship game.
 
That game sets the tone for the early conference matchup as both teams enter on three-game winning streaks.
 
Last Time Out – Norfolk State
 
The Spartans (14-3 overall, 2-0 MEAC) have been slow out of the gate the past two games and have been held under 50 points since the 86-53 rout of Chicago State on January 3.
 
Norfolk State defeated Maryland Eastern Shore, 43-34, last Saturday and followed that with a 40-26 win at Delaware State on Monday.
 
Against DSU, the Spartans shot 27.1 percent from the floor and 62.5 percent from the free-throw line. Camille Downs paced the offense with eight points and eight boards, while Deja Francis added seven points, four assists, three rebounds and two steals.
 
Norfolk State is averaging 62.2 points, while holding opponents to 50.9 points per game. In additions, the Spartans hold a 5.6 average in rebounding.
 
Francis leads three players in double figures, averaging 12.1 points, while Downs and Kierra Wheeler are scoring 11.2 and 10.1 points per game.
 
National Rankings – Norfolk State

• The Spartans rank third in field goal percentage defense and tops in the MEAC
• NSU is fifth in scoring defense and first in the conference
• Norfolk State is 18^th in three-point percentage defense, along with being the best in the MEAC
• The Spartans are 20^th nationally in steals per game and first in the conference
• Camille Downs ranks first in the MEAC and 10^th in the NCAA in steals
• Downs also ranks first in the conference and 16^th nationally in steals per game
• Deja Francis is first in the MEAC and 24^th nationally in free-throw attempts

 
Scouting the Bison
 
Howard (6-9, 2-0) dropped four straight games between December 10 and December 21, but rebounded with a 79-67 victory on December 28.
 
The Bison opened conference play with a 51-49 victory over Delaware State and a 56-47 win at Maryland Eastern Shore.
 
On Monday against UMES, Howard shot 31.9 percent from the field and 59.4 percent from the charity stripe. Aziah Hudson led three players in double figures with 21 points, while Brooklyn Fort-Davis added 17 points and eight boards. Nyla Cooper chipped in 12 points.
 
The Bison are averaging 60.9 points per game and are shooting 33.1 percent.
 
Destiny Howell and Hudson are averaging 15.2 and 12.2 points per game, respectively.
 
National Rankings – Howard

• Kaniyah Harris is first in the MEAC and fourth in the NCAA in assist/turnover ratio

 
After Saturday's matchup, Norfolk State will have a week off before preparing for back-to-back road games in Baltimore, Md. as the Spartans visit Coppin State (January 21) and Morgan State (January 23).
 
For complete coverage of Norfolk State athletics, please follow the Spartans on social media at @NSUSpartans (Twitter), /NorfolkStateAthletics (Facebook), @NSUAthletics (Instagram), @nsuathletics (YouTube) or visit the official home of Norfolk State Athletics at nsuspartans.com.