NORFOLK, Va. --- The Norfolk State women's basketball team used a strong second half to advance to the MEAC Tournament semifinals, defeating South Carolina State 81-55 at Norfolk Scope Arena on Wednesday afternoon.
 
With the win, Norfolk State has now won 28 games this season, the program's most in its Division I era.
 
Senior forward Kierra Wheeler led the Spartans with 20 points, adding nine rebounds, five steals, three assists, and two blocks. Diamond Johnson (18), Makoye Diawara (13), Da'Brya Clark (13), and Da'naijah Williams (11) also scored in double-figures.
 
Norfolk State jumped out to an early lead with a Johnson 3-pointer from the top of the arc. The two teams traded 3-pointers back and forth, until Johnson picked off a SCSU pass, leading to a layup at the other end.
 
South Carolina State continued its hot shooting first quarter, gaining a four-point advantage behind a 3-pointer and free throw from Shaunice Reed. The Spartans fought back with Da'naijah Williams scoring the last four points of the quarter, tying the game at 20 after one period.
 
NSU started to come alive offensively in the second quarter, producing a 9-0 run. Johnson dominated the stretch, scoring six points for the Spartans. The Bulldogs knocked down a 3-pointer to halt the Norfolk State run with 5:58 left in the second quarter.
 
The Spartans continued their strong second quarter, going on another 6-0 run capped off by a Wheeler free throw. Reed brought the Bulldogs back to within single digits with a 5-0 run, before Wheeler knocked down a pair of free throws, giving NSU a 41-30 edge heading into the locker room.
 
Norfolk State dominated the opening minutes of the second half behind a pair of strong offensive moves from Wheeler, giving NSU a 15-point advantage. The Bulldogs followed the Spartans' run with a 6-2 burst of their own, before NSU pushed the lead to 21 points with five straight points from Williams.
 
Williams picked up right where she left off in the third quarter, driving to the rim for a lay in to begin the final period. The Spartans continued their offensive charge, scoring the next five points as Clark capped off the run by sinking a 3-pointer.
 
Norfolk State continued to control the contest. Anjanae Richardson went coast-to-coast for a layup, extending the advantage to 74-39 with 4:26 left to play in the game. SCSU tried to gain some momentum, picking off two NSU passes, leading to a layup.
 
Clark capped off the Spartans win with a coast-to-coast lay in, as NSU advanced to Friday's semifinals.  
 
Checking the Box Score

• Kierra Wheeler led the Spartans with 20 points, adding nine rebounds, five steals, three assists, and two blocks to her totals
• Diamond Johnson also put together a stellar game for the Spartans with 18 points, eight rebounds, six steals, and four assists
• Makoye Diawara (14), Da'Brya Clark (13), and Da'naijah Williams (11) also scored in double-figures
• Norfolk State outscored the Bulldogs 40-18 in the second and third quarters
• Wednesday's game featured six lead changes and four ties
• NSU capitalized off turnovers, scoring 35 points.
• NSU drained a season high 22 free throws

News & Notes

• Norfolk State advanced to the MEAC semifinals for the fifth consecutive season
• NSU improved to 28-4 with the win
• SCSU ends its season 2-29 with the loss
• 28 wins marks Norfolk State's most in a single season in the program's Division I history
• NSU now leads the all-time series 34-18, winning the last 17 meetings

Up Next
Norfolk State advances to the semifinals, taking place on Friday, Mar. 14 at 12 p.m. NSU will face the winner of tomorrow's quarterfinal matchup between No. 4 seed Coppin State and No. 5 seed North Carolina Central.
 
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