NORFOLK, Va. --- The Norfolk State women's basketball team returns home to Echols Hall for the annual Education game on Thursday, Dec. 11, against Dillard. Tipoff is set for 11 a.m. 

KEY STORYLINES   

The Spartans look forward to their first home game since Dec. 1 when NSU defeated Shaw 86-48. First-year head coach Jermaine Woods currently sits seven wins away from career win 50.   

• Norfolk State graduate guard Jasha Clinton currently ranks third in the nation in steals with 42, just two steals behind Hannah Hildago from Notre Dame in first with 44. She also ranks 11th in steals per game, averaging 3.82 per game.  
• As a team, the Spartans currently rank 15th in the nation in steals per game with 13.5 per contest, trailing Montana State, which leads the nation with 17.6 per game.  
• Norfolk State picked up its fourth win of the season on Saturday, Dec. 6, taking down North Carolina A&T State 63-50 in Greensboro, N.C.  
• Norfolk State and Dillard will meet for the first time in program history on Thursday.  

ABOUT THE SPARTANS   

Norfolk State enters the matchup 4-7 on the season. 

• Norfolk State currently leads the MEAC in blocks (46), while also leading in steals (148), steals per game (13.45) and free-throw percentage, knocking down 71.9 percent of shots at the charity stripe. 
• NSU ranks second in blocks per game (4.18) and turnover margin (5.27) and third in opponent FG percentage holding teams to 39.5% shooting.  
• Graduate guard Jasha Clinton ranks second in the MEAC in points with 13.9 ppg, while junior guard Da'Brya Clark ranks third with 13.0 ppg. 
• Clark leads the MEAC in free throw percentage (85.7%), and third in 3-pt field goals per game (1.6) 
• Senior forward Carmen Kweti ranks third in the conference in rebounds, averaging 6.8 rebounds per contest, while leading the conference in blocked shots per game (1.6). 
• Clinton also leads the MEAC in total steals with 42, while also leading in steals per game with 3.8 per contest. She also sits third in assists per game (3.5) and assist/turnover margin (1.0).

SERIES HISTORY VS. DILLARD 

The Spartans and the Bleu Devils will meet for the first time in program history on Thursday.  

SCOUTING THE BLEU DEVILS 

Dillard enters the contest 5-7 on the season. Last time out, the Bleu Devils defeated the Knights of Southern University at New Orleans (LA) 78-73 on Tuesday, Dec. 9.   

• Junior forward Kayla Terry led the Bleu Devils with a team-high 23 points shooting 10-of-19 from the field while also collecting 17 boards, 10 on the offensive end of the ball. 
• Faith Alessandra (17), Davielis Berroa (14), and Azaria Knox (13) joined Terry in double-figures. 
• Berroa posted a double-double collecting 12 rebounds, while Knox also registered a double-double with 10 assists to pair with her 13 points.  
• Through 12 games, Dillard averages 67.0 points per game shooting 40.4% (307-759) from the field, 24.0% (31-129) from three-point range and 65.7% (159-242) from the free throw line.  
• The Bleu Devils hold a 4-5 road record this season and enter Thursday's matchup riding a win at Southern University at New Orleans (LA), 78-73. 

LAST TIME OUT 

Norfolk State fell 72-57 on the road at Georgia Tech on Monday, Dec. 8. Jasha Clinton led the Spartans with 18 points, three rebounds, three steals, and five assists.   

• LeAire Nicks (10) also scored in double figures   
• NSU shot 34.8% from the field, 13.6% from the 3-point line and 72.7% from the charity stripe   
• Two lead changes, three ties  
• NSU forced 17 turnovers and committed 12 

UP NEXT   

The Spartans will return home on Thursday, Dec. 11, taking on Dillard in their annual education day at 11 a.m. in Echols Hall.   

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.