COLUMBIA, Mo. --- The Norfolk State women's basketball team earned one of its biggest NCAA Division I program wins on Sunday afternoon, defeating Missouri 57-54 at Mizzou Arena.
 
The victory marked the first time the Spartans defeated an SEC program and the first time since 1979-80 that NSU defeated a power-five conference team.
 
Norfolk State improved to 3-0 with the win while Missouri fell to 1-2.
 
Graduate guard Diamond Johnson led NSU with 17 points, four assists, and two steals. Senior forward Kierra Wheeler and graduate guard Niya Fields also added double-digit figures Sunday with 14 points each.
 
Missouri grabbed a quick 7-3 lead to open the contest, but Norfolk State pulled within one (9-8) with 5:24 left to play in the opening quarter. The Spartans ended the quarter on a 5-0 run to take their first lead, following a three-pointer from Fields with 51 seconds to play.
 
Wheeler drained her first 3-pointer of the season, giving the Spartans a three-point lead (19-16) early in the second quarter. The Tigers gained the lead heading into the five-minute media timeout at 21-20, following a 5-1 run.
 
Norfolk State gained momentum late in the half behind two points from Fields and a 3-pointer from Anjanae Richardson at 26-21, forcing Missouri to take a timeout with 2:27 left in the half. The Tigers cut the lead by two heading into the locker room at 26-23
 
The Spartans never trailed in the third quarter, securing their largest lead of the game early in the half on a fast break layup to the hoop from Wheeler (33-25). NSU never let UM get within more than five points, before the Tigers went on a 7-2 run to end the quarter, cutting the Spartans' lead to 42-40.
 
The Tigers tied the game early in the final quarter, while Norfolk State gained its advantage back at 47-42 with 7:45 remaining. Missouri battled back with an 11-5 run to secure the lead with just 5:12 remaining to play (53-51).
 
The two teams traded advantages late in the contest and the Tigers tied up the game at 54 with just 2:41 to play. Norfolk State used a key layup from Wheeler with just 43 seconds to play, going up for good and securing the 57-54 win.
 
Checking the Box Score

• Diamond Johnson led Norfolk State with 17 points, adding four assists and two steals
• Kierra Wheeler and Niya Fields both had 14 points
• The Spartans led for most of the contest (24:21-8:01)
• Sunday's game featured four lead changes and six ties
• NSU grabbed five more rebounds than UM (39-34)

 
News & Notes

• Norfolk State is 3-0 for the second-consecutive season
• The win marks the Spartans' first victory over an SEC program
• NSU is now 1-0 over Missouri all-time
• Sunday marked the first time the two programs met

 
Up Next
 
Norfolk State looks to continue its momentum, traveling to Tuscaloosa, Ala. to face No. 24 Alabama at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 13.
 
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