WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Norfolk State held its own against Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) competition on Sunday afternoon, falling 51-46 to Wake Forest at LJVM Coliseum.
 
Kierra Wheeler led the Spartans with 15 points and nine rebounds in just 19 minutes of action, while Makoye Diawara tallied eight points and eight rebounds. Freshman Da'Brya Clark tallied a team-high six assists.
 
Wake Forest pulled down an offensive rebound and knocked down a 3-pointer on the team's opening possession, but Wheeler responded at the other end with a mid-range jumper. Neither team could find an immediate groove offensively from there, going nearly three minutes before the next score.
 
Diawara knocked down a pair of free throws to briefly put the Spartans in front, but back-to-back Demon Deacon scores flipped control. Wheeler converted another jump shot to cut the deficit back to one possession but Wake Forest's Madisyn Jordan drilled a 3-pointer soon after.
 
Danielle Robinson pulled up comfortably after a pump fake to get the Spartans moving, before Wheeler got to the line for two more points before the end of the quarter. Wake Forest took a 13-10 advantage into the second period.
 
The Spartans kept their foot on the gas pedal. Wheeler withstood contact for a second-chance layup, before Diawara splashed a corner 3-pointer to put NSU back in front.
 
Wake Forest ended the 9-0 Spartan run with a putback basket, tying the game 15-15 in the process. The Demon Deacons continued to crash the glass, scoring off another offensive rebound a minute later.
 
Wheeler evened the game with another strong inside score, before Robinson and Wake's Rylie Theuerkauf traded 3-pointers. Wake Forest scored inside in the final minute, but Niya Fields used the glass to knot the game at 22-22 before halftime.
 
Wake Forest came out of the locker room firing, starting the second half on a 7-1 run. Norfolk State used a timeout quickly after a pull-up jumper pushed the Demond Deacons ahead 32-25.
 
The Spartans regrouped immediately, starting with a Fields 3-pointer to get the Spartans back on track. Diawara pulled the Spartans within a single point moments later by knocking down another long ball.
 
Wake Forest ended the third period on a 7-0 run to take a 41-34 lead into the final quarter.
 
Da'Brya Clark started the fourth quarter with a pull-up jumper, but several quick Wake Forest scores opened the Demon Deacon's lead to double digits. Wheeler sparked a Norfolk State comeback effort though with a tough finish, before Da'naijah Williams scored a fastbreak layup and knocked down a 3-pointer moments later to pull Norfolk State within four.
 
Robinson cut the lead to two with another jumper, and the Spartans got a stop on the defensive end to set up a go-ahead or tying opportunity. Wake Forest forced a Norfolk State turnover, however, and the Spartans' three-point attempt fell short after the Demon Deacon's trip to the free throw line.
 
Checking The Box Score

• Kierra Wheeler led the Spartans with 15 points and nine rebounds in just 19 minutes of action
• Makoye Diawara added eight points and eight rebounds, while Da'Brya Clark tallied a team-high six assists.
• Norfolk State knocked down five 3-poitners in 13 attempts (38.5 percent)
• The Spartans recorded seven steals, forcing 16 Wake Forest turnovers
• Both teams recorded 38 rebounds
• Kaia Harrison led Wake Forest with 12 points

News & Notes

• Norfolk State dropped to 7-3 with the loss
• Wake Forest improved to 3-7 with the win
• The Demon Deacons now lead the all-time series between the schools 3-0
• There were five ties and four lead changes during Sunday's game 

UP NEXT
 
Norfolk State continues to face competition from high major conferences, battling Auburn on the road at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 16. The game will be aired live on ESPN+.
 
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.