BUIES CREEK, N.C. — The Norfolk State women's basketball team dropped a hard-fought 68–63 decision to Campbell University on Monday night at Gore Arena. The Spartans move to 5-8 on the season, while the Fighting Camels improve to 7-5. 

Graduate guard Jasha Clinton led all scorers with 28 points, shooting 11-of-19 from the floor. She added four assists, three rebounds and a team-high five steals in the effort. 

Norfolk State opened the scoring with a banked three-pointer from Da'Brya Clark following an early Campbell free throw. The Camels answered with a 7-0 run to take an 8-3 lead before LeAire Nicks halted the surge with a basket inside. 

Back-to-back scores from Clinton pulled the Spartans within four at 13-9, and Cire Worley knocked down a pair of free throws to cut the deficit to two. A steal and layup by Jenesis Hill gave NSU a 15-14 lead with 1:17 remaining in the opening quarter. 

Campbell briefly regained the advantage, but Norfolk State responded with an 8-0 run to go ahead 24-19, highlighted by a layup from Anjanae Richardson and a three from Clark. The Camels countered with consecutive three-pointers to tie the game at 24-24, setting up a back-and-forth stretch late in the half. 

Worley connected from beyond the arc to put the Spartans back in front 31-29 with two minutes left before halftime. Clark extended the lead to four with a free throw and her third three-pointer of the game, but Campbell closed the half with a bucket to trim the margin to 35-33 at the break. 

Clinton opened the second half with a three off a Clark assist as Norfolk State surged to a 9-4 run, building a 44-37 lead midway through the third quarter. The Spartans closed the period on a 6-4 spurt to carry a 50-41 advantage into the final 10 minutes. 

Campbell opened the fourth quarter on a 12-8 run to pull within five at 58-53. The Camels later tied the game at 58-all, and the teams traded baskets down the stretch. Clinton's three-pointer gave Norfolk State a 63-61 lead with 2:05 remaining, but Campbell sealed the game at the free-throw line, scoring its final seven points from the charity stripe to secure the 68-63 victory. 

CHECKING THE BOX SCORE  

• Final Score: Campbell 68, Norfolk State 63 
• Jasha Clinton: 28 points, three rebounds, five steals, four assists  
• Additional Double-Figure Scorers: Da'Brya Clark (15) 
• NSU shot 36.1% from the field (22-of-61), 33.3% (3-of-18) from three-point range and 72.2% from the free throw line (13-of-18)  
• The Spartans held the Fighting Camels to 31% shooting from both the field and three-point range 
• Spartans registered 10 steals and forced 19 turnovers, scoring 15 points off those miscues  
• NSU outscored CU the paint (24-14) and off the fast break (12-1) 

NEWS & NOTES  

• Norfolk State falls to 5-8 
• Jasha Clinton set a new career-high with 28 points connecting on 11 field-goals 
• Head coach Jermaine Woods sits six wins away from career victory No. 50 

UP NEXT 
The Spartans continue their road trip on Thursday, Dec. 18, traveling to Columbus, Ohio, to face Ohio State. Tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m. broadcasting on the Big 10 Network.