NORFOLK, Va. – Norfolk State forward Kierra Wheeler dominated both ends of the floor on Saturday afternoon, scoring 28 points to lead the Spartans (23-4, 10-0 MEAC) past Coppin State (16-10, 7-3) at the CSU Physical Education Complex Arena.
 
Wheeler finished the day with 28 points, seven rebounds, two blocks, and one steal, shooting 12-of-18 from the floor and 3-of-3 at the free throw line. Diamond Johnson added 13 points, nine rebounds and seven steals as the Spartans picked up their 12^th consecutive win.
 
Norfolk State jumped out to an early lead in the first quarter, although both teams played tough defensively from the opening tip. An and-one score from Makoye Diawara put NSU ahead 6-3, before the Spartans expanded the gap with back-to-back baskets from Anjanae Richardson and Johnson.
 
Wheeler wasted no time getting going. The 2023-24 MEAC Player of the Year scored nine points in the first period, giving Norfolk State a 19-10 lead going into the second quarter.
 
Richardson knocked down a 3-pointer from the wing, before scoring in the lane a minute later. Wheeler made Coppin State pay on a wide-open mid-range jumper, knocking it down with ease to put Norfolk State ahead 28-13.
 
The Spartans' lead reached as much as 19 in the first half, but Coppin State wouldn't go away that quickly. The Eagles ended the second quarter on an 8-0 run, trimming the deficit to 34-23 at the break.
 
Norfolk State quickly took back the reigns in the driver's seat, opening the half on a 10-4 run. Wheeler continued to put on a clinic, getting to the rim at will and showing her versatility with a nothing-but-net 3-pointer.
 
Wheeler reached 28 points before the end of the third quarter, as the Spartans quickly began to pull away. The senior forward checked out of the game with four minutes to play in the fourth quarter and Norfolk State holding a 66-43 lead.
 
 Johnson extended her double-figure scoring streak to 31 games with a mid-range jumper in the final minutes, knocking down a 3-pointer shortly after. Ciara Bailey and Jenesis Hill added baskets off the bench to put the final touches on the emphatic victory.
 
Checking The Box Score

• Kierra Wheeler led the Spartans with 28 points, adding seven rebounds and two blocks
• Diamond Johnson recorded 13 points, nine rebounds, and seven steals
• Wheeler and Anjanae Richardson each scored 13 points in the first half
• Norfolk State shot 49.2 percent from the floor (31-of-63), holding Coppin State to a 36.4 percent clip (20-of-55_
• NSU outscored CSU 40-16 in the paint
• Norfolk State never trailed on Saturday

News & Notes

• Norfolk State improved to 23-4 with the win, 10-0 in MEAC play
• Coppin State dropped to 16-10 with the loss, 7-3 in the MEAC
• Coppin State now leads the all-time series with NSU 30-20
• NSU has won the last seven meetings against the Eagles
• With Jackson State's loss to Alcorn State on Saturday, Norfolk State now holds the second-longest active home win streak (25 games), behind only Princeton 

UP NEXT
 
Norfolk State returns home for Senior Night at Joseph G. Echols Hall, facing Morgan State on Monday, Feb. 24 at 5:30 p.m.
 
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