NORFOLK, Va. --- A strong second-half performance led the Norfolk State women's basketball team to a 69-53 win against Howard on Saturday afternoon at Echols Hall.
 
Graduate guard Diamond Johnson led NSU with 24 points, adding eight rebounds, seven assists, three steals, and one block to her totals.
 
Senior forward Kierra Wheeler posted her ninth double-double of the season with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Sophomore guard Da'Brya Clark also scored in double-figures with 13 points.
 
The Bison opened the contest with a quick 4-2 lead before the Spartans rattled off a 7-0 run capped off by a Clark 3-pointer from the left corner. Howard returned to within three points late in the first quarter, before Niya Fields made a 3-pointer of her own. Tyana Walker trimmed the NSU advantage to three right before the end of the first quarter.
 
Five straight points from Destiny Howell brought the Bison within one point with 6:53 left to play before halftime. Howard gained the lead back following the media timeout with a four-point play from Howell.
 
Johnson ended the almost five-minute scoring drought for the Spartans with a 3-pointer from the top of the key, giving NSU a 26-23 advantage. The Bison finished the half on a 5-0 run to hold a three-point edge heading into the locker room.
 
Norfolk State opened the second half by tying the game up at 31-31 with a steal and layup from Johnson. The Bison continued playing strong defense, holding the Spartans to just two points over the next four minutes of the quarter, gaining a two-point edge. Johnson ended the scoring drought following the media timeout with a pull-up jumper at the free-throw line.
 
NSU continued to gain momentum with a 9-0 run to gain its largest lead of the quarter at 44-35 with 1:45 left to play in the quarter. Saniyah King got a pair of points back for the Bison, allowing NSU to take a seven-point advantage into the fourth quarter.
 
The Spartans extended the lead to 12 points early in the fourth quarter with a driving layup from Johnson down the left side of the paint. Back-to-back 3-pointers on consecutive possessions from Johnson and Clark gave NSU a 57-44 lead with six minutes left to play in the game.
 
NSU started to pull away from HU following the media timeout with back-to-back baskets from Johnson and Wheeler. Clark sealed the game with 38 seconds left at the free throw line, giving Norfolk State the 69-53 win.
 
Checking the Box Score

• Diamond Johnson led NSU with 26 points, adding eight rebounds, seven assists, three steals, and a block to her totals
• Kierra Wheeler (17) and Da'Brya Clark (13) both scored in double-figures in the win
• Saturday's game featured five lead changes and five ties
• Norfolk State outrebounded Howard 46-39
• NSU capitalized off HU turnovers, scoring 24 points

 
News & Notes

• Norfolk State improved to 18-4 (5-0 MEAC) with the win
• Howard fell to 10-9 (3-1 MEAC) with the loss
• Howard still leads the all-time series 38-25
• The win extended Norfolk State's home winning streak to 22 straight games
• Johnson has scored in double-figures for 21 straight games

 
Up Next
Norfolk State returns to action next weekend, hosting South Carolina State at 2 p.m. on Saturday.
 
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