NORFOLK, Va. --- The Norfolk State women's basketball team never trailed on Sunday afternoon, defeating Virginia State 77-53 at Echols Hall.
 
Norfolk State improved to 2-1 on the season. The game counted as an exhibition for Virginia State.
 
Graduate guard Jasha Clinton led the Spartans with 21 points. Anjanae Richardson finished with 13, and Da'Brya Clark added 11. Carmen Kweti pulled down a team-high eight rebounds, while LeAire Nicks grabbed seven boards. Clinton also tallied six steals, and Richardson added five.
 
The Spartans shot 40.3 percent (27-of-67) and held a 34-31 advantage on the glass. Norfolk State forced 29 turnovers, converting them into 34 points.
 
Norfolk State set the tone early, opening the game on an 11-0 run capped by a Clark fastbreak layup. The Spartans shot 52.9 percent in the period (9-of-17), closing the quarter on a 5-0 spurt to take a 20-4 lead.
 
The Spartans knocked down four quick free throws to begin the second. After Virginia State scored four straight, Niyah Gaston responded with five consecutive points to push the momentum back to NSU. Norfolk State ended the half on a 13-2 run, heading into the break up 46-18.
 
Kweti converted a second-chance layup to finish a 6-2 start to the third, before the Trojans answered with a 3-pointer. NSU responded with a 5-0 run to stretch the advantage to 34 points. Virginia State closed the quarter on a brief surge, but Norfolk State remained in control with a 64-37 lead entering the fourth.
 
Virginia State opened the final quarter with a 9-1 run, trimming the margin. Richardson halted the run with a 3-pointer from the left wing, sparking a 7-0 Norfolk State response that rebuilt the lead to 28. The Spartans maintained control the rest of the way to secure the 77-53 win.
 
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"We came out strong and played a brilliant first half – especially in the first quarter," head women's basketball coach Jermaine Woods said. "Our execution and rebounding were exactly where they needed to be. We did a lot of things right early on."
 
"The process has to continue to drive us, not just the result of the game," Woods added. "We've got to keep improving. We're not satisfied – we know there's another level we can reach."
 
CHECKING THE BOX SCORE

• Norfolk State defeated Virginia State 77-53
• Jasha Clinton led the Spartans with 21 points on 7-of-15 shooting
• Anjanae Richardson (13) and Da'Brya Clark (11) also reached double figures
• Carmen Kweti led the Spartans on the glass with eight rebounds
• The Spartans shot 52.94 percent in the first quarter (9-of-17)
• Norfolk State forced 29 turnovers, resulting in 34 points for the Spartans
• NSU outrebounded VSU 34-31
• The Spartans never trailed the Trojans in the win

 
NEWS & NOTES

• Norfolk State improved to 2-1 with the win
• The game served as an exhibition for Virginia State
• Norfolk State now leads the all-time series 36-19
• NSU extended its home winning streak to 28 straight games

 
UP NEXT
Norfolk State travels to No. 7 Duke on Wednesday, Nov. 12 at 7 p.m. at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
 
For complete coverage of Norfolk State Athletics, please follow the Spartans on social media at @nsuspartans (X/Twitter), /NorfolkStateAthletics (Facebook), @NSUAthletics (Instagram), @nsuathletics (YouTube) or visit the official home of Norfolk State Athletics at nsuspartans.com.