SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico --- Norfolk State overcame a 20-point halftime deficit, but fell in the final seconds to Green Bay 55-54 at the Discover Puerto Rico Shootout Saturday afternoon.
 
Diamond Johnson led NSU in scoring with 17 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and two steals. Kierra Wheeler (14) and Anjanae Richardson (10) both scored double figures for the Spartans in the loss.
 
Green Bay got off to a quick start, going on a 7-2 run to open the contest. Anjanae Richardson capitalized on a pass from Wheeler, draining a 3-pointer to tie up the contest. Da'Brya Clark gave NSU its first lead of the contest by getting to the free throw line, making 1-of-2 free throws.
 
Richardson cut the Phoenix lead to just one with 12 seconds left in the first, but Bailey Butler hit a jumper for UWGB as time expired.
 
Green Bay dominated most of the second quarter, starting with a 12-2 run before Johnson nailed a 3-pointer, stopping the run. The Phoenix went on a 13-0 run to end the quarter, outscoring the Spartans 25-5 in the second quarter to take a 38-18 lead into the locker room.
 
The Spartans came out in the second half fighting their way back into the game with an 11-0 run capped off by a Clark steal and layup from Johnson. Johnson scored the last five points for the Spartans in the third quarter, trimming the UWGB lead down to seven entering the fourth quarter.
 
The Phoenix opened the fourth quarter by building their lead back up to nine behind a pair of Cassie Schiltz free throws. Johnson would cut the lead to six with free throws of her own, before four straight points from Green Bay increased the lead back up to 10 with 4:06 left to play.
 
Norfolk State battled back and cut the lead to one behind a layup from Wheeler right before taking the lead on a second-chance layup from Wheeler at 54-53. Green Bay would come down the court and get a good look at the basket to drain the game-winning shot with eight seconds left to win the game 55-54.
 
Checking the Box Score

• Diamond Johnson led the Spartans in scoring with 17 points
• Kierra Wheeler (14) and Anjanae Richardson (10) both posted double figures for NSU
• Norfolk State outscored Green Bay 36-17 in the second half
• The Spartans forced 10 steals to the Phoenix's six steals
• NSU outscored UWGB in the paint 32-to-24

 
News & Notes

• Norfolk State falls to 7-3 with the loss
• Green Bay improves to 5-3 with the win
• UWGB now leads the all-times series 1-0
• Diamond Johnson tied a season-high in rebounds with eight

 
Up Next
NSU will be in action on Saturday, Dec. 7 at the Coaches vs. Racism Roundball Classic in Washington D.C., taking on Saint Louis at 11:30 a.m.
 
 
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