COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Norfolk State women's basketball team faced a stiff road test on Thursday evening, falling to No. 21 Ohio State, 79-45, at Value City Arena. The Spartans move to 5-9 on the season, while the Buckeyes improve to 10-1. 

Jasha Clinton paced Norfolk State with a team-high 18 points, shooting 6-of-16 from the field and 5-of-6 from the free throw line while adding three assists and two steals. Ciara Bailey was the lone other Spartan in double figures, recording her first double-double of the season with 10 points and 11 rebounds. 

Norfolk State opened the contest with early momentum, scoring the game's first four points on baskets from Anjanae Richardson and Clinton. Ohio State answered with a 9-6 run to take the lead midway through the opening quarter and closed the period on an 11-4 surge to carry a 20-10 advantage into the second. 

The Buckeyes continued to extend their lead in the second quarter, building a 22-point cushion and taking a 43-21 lead into halftime. Bailey scored six of her 10 points in the period, while Cire Worley knocked down her first basket of the game on a three-pointer off a Richardson assist. 

Norfolk State found an offensive spark late in the third quarter, outscoring Ohio State 11-9 over the final five minutes putting the score at 62-38 entering the fourth. Clinton sparked the run with a three-pointer, followed by layups from Jenesis Hill, Bailey, Richardson, and Clinton. 

Ohio State regained control in the final period, holding the Spartans to seven points while adding 17 of its own to seal the 79-45 victory. Clinton accounted for all seven NSU points in the quarter. 

CHECKING THE BOX SCORE   

• Final Score: Ohio State 79, Norfolk State 45 
• Jasha Clinton: 18 points, three assists, two steals 
• Ciara Bailey: 10 points, 11 rebounds 
• Da'Brya Clark and Bailey each recorded four blocks, while Richardson finished with four steals. 
• Norfolk State shot 30.5 percent from the field (18-of-59), 18.2 percent from three-point range (2-of-11), and 43.8 percent from the free throw line (7-of-16). 
• The Spartans tallied nine blocks compared to six for Ohio State. 

NEWS & NOTES   

• Norfolk State falls to 5-9 
• Head coach Jermaine Woods sits six wins away from career victory No. 50  

UP NEXT  

Norfolk State wraps up the 2025 calendar year with the final game of its three-game road trip on Sunday, Dec. 21, at Elon. Tipoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. in Elon, N.C., with the game streaming on FloSports ($).