NORFOLK, Va. | The Norfolk State University women's basketball team takes to the road for a pair of Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) games as the Spartans are looking to add to their six-game winning streak.
 
Norfolk State opens its two-game road swing at Coppin State on Saturday, followed by the short trip to Morgan State on Monday, before returning home on January 28 against South Carolina State.
 
The Spartans roll into Baltimore, Md. unbeaten in the new year, and have not dropped a game since the loss on December 18 at Alabama. During that span, NSU has reeled off victories over William & Mary, UNC Wilmington, Chicago State, Maryland Eastern Shore, Delaware State and Howard.
 
Norfolk State enters Saturday's tilt having won two out of its last three games against Coppin State but have not defeated the Eagles in Baltimore since the 2019-2020 season (85-48). CSU owns the all-time series record, 30-13. The Spartans are 25-18 all-time against Morgan State and have also won two out of their last three games against the Bears. NSU's last win at MSU came during the 2018-19 season, a 64-49 victory.
 
Last Time Out – Norfolk State
 
The Spartans (15-3 overall, 4-0 MEAC) came out of the gate slowly last Saturday at home against Howard, trailing 5-0 after the first quarter media timeout. But NSU closed out the period on a 12-5 run, taking a 12-10 lead into the second.
 
Norfolk State dominated the second quarter, holding the Bison to just two field goals and 18.1 percent shooting (2-for-11) as the Spartans outscored HU, 21-5 and didn't look back in the home rout.
 
Kierra Wheeler, the MEAC Co-Player of the Week, posted a double-double of 21 points and 13 rebounds, along with three steals and one blocked shot. Camille Downs and Makoye Diawara poured in 11 and 10 points respectively as the Spartans shot 43.8 percent (21-of-48) from the field.
 
Norfolk State is averaging 62.3 points, while holding opponents to 50.2 points per game. In addition, the Spartans hold a 6.7 average in rebounding.
 
Deja Francis leads three players in double figures, averaging 11.8 points, while Downs and Wheeler are scoring 11.2 and 10.7 points per game.
 
National Rankings – Norfolk State
 
The Spartans rank second in the nation in scoring defense and third in field goal percentage defense
NSU is 12^th in the country in three-point percentage defense
Norfolk State ranks 17^th in steals per game
The Spartans are 18^th in NCAA Division I in turnovers forced per game
Downs ranks 13^th in steals and 15^th in steals per game
Francis is 32^nd in the country in free throw attempts, while 36^th in steals
 
Scouting the Eagles
 
Coppin State (4-13, 1-1) enters Saturday's tilt against Norfolk State having dropped five out of its last six games.
 
The Eagles opened MEAC play on Jan. 9 with a 72-67 win at home against North Carolina Central, which snapped a four-game skid. However, Coppin State fell in its last game, a 61-46 defeat at the hands of rival Morgan State last Saturday.
 
With the score tied at 41 entering the final quarter, Morgan State outscored Coppin State, 20-5, and held the Eagles to just 18.1 percent shooting to pull away for the road victory.
 
Jewel Watkins led the way offensively with 13 points and eight points. Mossi Staples added 12 points, while Nadjy Amira tossed in 10 points.
 
The Eagles are averaging 58.8 points per game and are shooting 35.1 percent.
 
Staples leads the Coppin State offense, averaging 14.8 points and 4.0 rebounds. Watkins and Amira are averaging 13.8 and 10.0 points, respectively.
 
National Rankings – Coppin State
 
Staples ranks 21^st in field goal attempts
 
Scouting the Bears
 
Morgan State (9-6, 2-0) enters the weekend on a two-game winning streak and have won 12 straight games at home, dating back to last season (Lost 67-65 to Coppin State on January 15).
 
The Bears will visit Howard on Saturday, before playing host to Norfolk State on Monday.
 
Morgan State opened MEAC play with an 81-71 home win over North Carolina Central and picked up a 61-46 victory last Saturday at Coppin State.
 
Against the Eagles, Charlene Shepherd led the way offensively with 27 points, on 11-of-28 shooting, along with eight rebounds. Sunshine McCrae chipped in 12 points and seven boards.
 
The Bears are averaging 59.0 points per game and are shooting 36.1 percent.
 
Shepherd paces MSU, averaging 14.3 points and 7.0 boards per game. Ja'Niah Henson is also averaging double figures at 13.3 points per game.
 
National Rankings – Morgan State
 
The Bears are 10^th in the country in turnover margin and 15th in steals per game
Morgan State ranks 17^th in NCAA Division I in turnovers forced per game
 
After back-to-back road games in Baltimore, Norfolk State returns home to face South Carolina State (January 28) and North Carolina Central (January 30).
 
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.