NORFOLK, Va. --- The Norfolk State women's basketball team never trailed in Monday's contest against North Carolina Central, taking down the Eagles 88-52 at Echols Hall.
 
Graduate guard Diamond Johnson led Norfolk State with 24 points, seven rebounds, five steals, and three assists. Da'Brya Clark (14) and Ciara Bailey (13) also scored in double-figures in the win.
 
Norfolk State started the game off strong with an 8-0 run capped off with a Makoye Diawara layup. NSU extended its lead to 15-4 following the media timeout with a layup from Wheeler. Johnson drained a 3-pointer with 3:30 left in the first quarter, extending the Spartans advantage. NSU ended the first quarter with a pair of 3-pointers from Johnson and Clark, allowing the Spartans to take a 26-9 lead into the second quarter.
 
North Carolina Central answered back to open the second quarter with a 3-pointer from Kayla Bryant, cutting into the Norfolk State advantage. Junior guard Da'naijah Williams picked off the Eagles, leading to an and-one layup from Bailey at the other end of the court.
 
Graduate guard Niya Fields found Johnson wide-open at the top left side of the 3-point line, draining the 3-pointer to give NSU a 24-point lead with 6:01 remaining before halftime. The Eagles attempted to chip away at the Spartans advantage following the media timeout, going on a 7-3 run. A basket from Richardson and a pair of free throws from Bailey allowed the Spartans to take a 44-20 lead into the locker room.
 
The Spartans continued to bring the offensive attack to the Eagles, opening the half with a 7-2 run capped off by a 3-pointer from Johnson. NSU used a pair of 3-pointers from Richardson and Johnson on back-to-back possessions, extending its advantage to 65-27 late in the third quarter. Bailey continued her strong offensive day, getting to the hoop for the and-one right before the end of the quarter.
 
Williams got the Spartans going to open the fourth quarter, getting to the hoop for a layup on the opening possession. The Eagles gained some momentum through the next three minutes of the game with a 7-3 run. Sophomores guard Jenesis Hill and Johnson put the final touches on the 88-52 victory, scoring the last five points of the contest.
 
 
Checking the Box Score

• Graduate guard Diamond Johnson led NSU with 24 points, seven rebounds, five steals, and three assists.
• Da'Brya Clark (14) and Ciara Bailey (13) both scored in double-figures in the win
• Graduate guard Niya Fields matched her career high in rebounds (8) and surpassed her career high in assists (9)
• Makoye Diawara grabbed double-figure rebounds in the win (10)  
• Diamond Johnson went 6-of-10 from the free throw line (60.0 percent)
• Norfolk State grabbed a season high 57 rebounds in the win
• NSU's bench outscored NCCU's bench 32-8

 
News & Notes

• Norfolk State improved to 20-4 with the win (7-0 MEAC)
• North Carolina Central fell to 6-15 with the loss (3-3 MEAC)
• NSU now leads the all-time series 32-10
• The Spartans have won at least 20 games for three consecutive seasons
• NSU extended its home winning streak to 24 straight games
• Ciara Bailey scored a career high 13 points

Up Next
Norfolk State returns to action at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 15 at Maryland Eastern Shore.
 
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