DURHAM, N.C. – The Norfolk State women's basketball team travels to Cameron Indoor Stadium on Wednesday to face No. 15 Duke at 7 p.m., marking the Spartans' second nationally ranked opponent within their opening stretch of the 2025-26 season.
KEY STORYLINES
Norfolk State enters the matchup under first-year head coach
Jermaine Woods, who continues progressing toward his 50th career victory. The Spartans and Blue Devils meet for just the second time in program history, and the matchup comes as part of a challenging early-season schedule featuring multiple Top 25 opponents. Graduate guard
Jasha Clinton has emerged as one of the nation's most disruptive perimeter defenders to start the season, leading all Division I players in total steals.
• Woods is nine wins away from his 50th career victory.
• Norfolk State and Duke last met in the 2002 NCAA Tournament.
• Norfolk State will play three nationally ranked teams in its first five games.
• Clinton leads the nation in total steals (18) and ranks fourth in steals per game (6.0).
• NSU defeated Virginia State 77-53 on Sunday to move to 2-1.
SCOUTING THE BLUE DEVILS
Duke enters Wednesday's matchup at 1-1 and ranks No. 15 in the latest AP Top 25 Poll. The Blue Devils return much of the core from last year's 29-win team that advanced to the Elite Eight and captured the ACC Tournament title. Duke opened the season with a split, most recently rolling to a decisive win over Holy Cross behind a strong offensive performance and a balanced defensive effort.
• Duke defeated Holy Cross 91-48 in its most recent game.
• Forward Toby Fournier logged her 10th career 20-point performance in the victory.
• The Blue Devils average 71.5 points per game while holding opponents to just 53.0.
• Duke's Kara Lawson enters her sixth season leading the program and sits two wins away from 100 career victories.
LAST TIME OUT
Norfolk State delivered a commanding performance in its home win over Virginia State on Sunday. The Spartans controlled the pace early and converted defense into offense throughout the game, forcing 29 turnovers and turning them into 34 points. Clinton led three Spartans in double figures, while
Carmen Kweti provided strength on the boards.
• Clinton scored 21 points on 7-of-15 shooting.
•
Anjanae Richardson (13) and
Da'Brya Clark (11) also reached double figures.
• Kweti led NSU with eight rebounds.
• NSU shot 52.9 percent in the first quarter.
• NSU never trailed and outrebounded VSU 34-31.
SPARTANS IN THE MEAC
Norfolk State continues to set the pace in the MEAC defensively, particularly in generating turnovers. Clinton and Clark have anchored the scoring effort, while Kweti's work on the boards has helped balance the Spartans on both ends.
• Norfolk State leads the MEAC in steals (48), averaging 16.0 per game.
• Clinton leads the MEAC in scoring (20.0 ppg), with Clark ranking third (16.0 ppg).
• Kweti ranks third in the MEAC in rebounds (7.0 rpg).
• Clinton leads the MEAC in total steals (18) and ranks second in steals per game (6.0).
UP NEXT
Norfolk State continues its road trip at No. 16 Iowa State on Sunday, Nov. 16. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. EST.
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