NORFOLK, Va. — The Norfolk State women's basketball team rolled past Shaw 86-48 on Monday evening at Echols Hall.
 
Norfolk State improved to 3-6 with the win. The game counted as an exhibition for Shaw.
 
Junior guard Da'Brya Clark paced the Spartans with a career-high-tying 25 points and eight rebounds. She also recorded five steals, three blocks, and one assist. Cire Worley and LeAire Nicks added 12 points apiece, while Jasha Clinton scored 11.
 
Norfolk State shot 43.7 percent from the field (31-of-71) and 38.9 percent from 3-point range (7-of-18). The Spartans also forced 28 turnovers, converting them into 26 points.
 
NSU opened the game on a 7-0 run in the first 30 seconds, capped by a Worley steal that led to a Clark layup. Shaw responded with a 7-0 spurt to tie the game. The Spartans regained the lead at 12-7 on a pair of Niyah Gaston free throws with 3:00 left in the first quarter, but the Bears closed the period on a 7-1 run to take a 14-13 edge into the second.
 
Shaw extended its run with a Mikyah Finley 3-pointer to open the quarter, but Norfolk State dominated the next six minutes with a 21-2 surge, capped by a Worley triple. The teams traded baskets late in the half, with the Spartans entering the break ahead 36-23.
 
Norfolk State carried the momentum into the third quarter, quickly adding five points on a Clark 3-pointer and a Clinton layup. The Spartans strung together a 12-4 run to stretch the margin to 24. Clinton's late layup capped a 12-2 surge to close the period, giving NSU a 68-35 lead.
 
The Spartans opened the fourth quarter with a 9-2 run, including back-to-back jumpers from Nicks to build a 39-point cushion. Shaw hit four straight free throws before NSU finished the game on a 7-4 run to secure the 86-48 victory.
 
QUOTEABLE
"I'm proud of the balance we showed tonight," head coach Jermaine Woods said. "We had multiple players step up and make plays, and that's when we're at our best — when everyone has a hand in the win. We're growing each game, learning how to sustain runs and control the pace. Tonight was another step forward. I really liked our composure when the game settled in, and I'm proud of how our group responded and executed."
 
CHECKING THE BOX SCORE

• Norfolk State defeated Shaw 86-48
• Da'Brya Clark: 25 points, eight rebounds, five steals, three blocks
• Cire Worley (12), LeAire Nicks (12) and Jasha Clinton (11) also scored in double figures
• NSU shot 43.7% from the field and 38.9% from the 3-point line
• Four lead changes and three ties
• NSU forced 28 turnovers and committed just nine
• NSU outscored Shaw 42-16 in the paint
• Spartans posted 33 fast-break points to Shaw's nine

 
NEWS & NOTES

• Norfolk State improved to 3-6
• The game served as an exhibition for Shaw
• NSU leads the all-time series 21-4
• Spartans have won five straight against the Bears
• Clark tied her career high in points and set a career high with eight rebounds
• Nicks set a career high with 12 points
• Head coach Jermaine Woods is now eight wins away from career win No. 50

 
UP NEXT
Norfolk State travels to North Carolina A&T on Saturday, Dec. 6, for a 12 p.m. matchup in Greensboro, N.C.
 
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.