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Team huddle vs. UDC
Paige Abagnale

Spartans Head to Columbus for Ranked Showdown with No. 21 Buckeyes

NORFOLK, Va. — The Norfolk State women's basketball team continues its three-game road swing with a nationally ranked test at No. 21 Ohio State on Thursday, Dec. 18. Tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m. inside Value City Arena and the game will air on the Big Ten Network. 

KEY STORYLINES 

The Spartans head to Columbus for the second contest of a three-game road trip to close out the 2025 calendar year. First-year head coach Jermaine Woods enters the matchup six wins shy of career victory No. 50. 

  • Graduate guard Jasha Clinton continues to rank among the nation's elite defenders, sitting second nationally in total steals (50) and eighth in steals per game (3.85). 
  • Norfolk State ranks 15th nationally in steals per game (13.7), 32nd in turnovers forced per game (21.92), and 41st in turnover margin (+5.62). 
  • The Spartans last earned a victory on Thursday, Dec. 11, defeating Dillard 100-54 at Echols Hall. 
  • Thursday marks just the second all-time meeting between Norfolk State and Ohio State. 
ABOUT THE SPARTANS 

Norfolk State enters the contest with a 5-8 overall record. 

  • The Spartans lead the MEAC in field goal percentage defense (.380), steals per game (13.7), turnover margin (+5.62), turnovers forced per game (21.92), total steals (178), and blocked shots per game (4.2). 
  • NSU ranks second in the conference in assist-to-turnover ratio (0.69), team free throw percentage (.709), scoring defense (63.8), scoring margin (-2.0), scoring offense (61.8), three-point attempts per game (19.8), three-pointers per game (4.7), and turnovers per game (16.3). 
  • Individually, Da'Brya Clark ranks second in the MEAC in scoring at 14.9 points per game, followed by Jasha Clinton at 14.7 ppg (third), while AJ Richardson ranks 11th at 10.0 ppg. 
  • Carmen Kweti ranks fifth in the league in rebounding (6.1 rpg) and second in blocked shots per game (1.4), while Ciara Bailey sits third at 1.3 blocks per contest. 
  • Clinton also leads the MEAC in total steals (50), steals per game (3.8), and ranks second in assists (3.8 apg). 

SERIES HISTORY VS. OHIO STATE 

  • Thursday's matchup marks the second meeting between Norfolk State and Ohio State. 
  • The Buckeyes hold a 1-0 series advantage after an 86-48 victory during the 2021-22 season. 

SCOUTING THE BUCKEYES 

Ohio State enters the contest 9-1 overall and a perfect 6-0 at home this season. 

  • The Buckeyes are riding a seven-game winning streak following an 85-60 victory over Toledo in their last outing. Their lone loss came against No. 1 UConn on Nov. 16. 
  • Ohio State also owns a ranked win this season, defeating No. 21/20 West Virginia 83-81. 
  • Jaloni Cambridge leads the Buckeyes with 20.6 points per game and ranks second on the team in rebounding at 5.3 per contest. Chance Gray (12.7 ppg) is the only other Buckeye averaging double figures, while Kylee Kitts leads the team on the glass with 7.1 rebounds per game. 
  • Ohio State averages 87.3 points per game while allowing just 62.1 points per contest. The Buckeyes are holding opponents to 21.6 percent shooting from the floor. 
  • Head coach Kevin McGuff is in his 13th season at the helm of the Ohio State program. 

LAST TIME OUT 

  • Norfolk State dropped a 68-63 decision at Campbell. 
  • Jasha Clinton led the Spartans with 28 points, four assists, five steals, and three rebounds, while Da'Brya Clark added 15 points. 
  • NSU shot 36.1 percent from the field, 33.3 percent from three-point range, and 72.2 percent from the free throw line.  
  • The Spartans held Campbell to 31 percent shooting from both the field and three-point range. 
  • Norfolk State forced 19 turnovers, registering 10 steals and scoring 15 points off those miscues.  
  • NSU also held advantages in points in the paint (24-14) and fast-break points (12-1). 

UP NEXT 

The Spartans conclude their road trip on Sunday, Dec. 21, traveling to Elon, N.C., to face the Elon Phoenix.

For complete coverage of Norfolk State Athletics, follow the Spartans on social media at @nsuspartans (X/Twitter), /NorfolkStateAthletics (Facebook), @NSUAthletics (Instagram), @nsuathletics (YouTube), or visit nsuspartans.com. 

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