COLLEGE PARK, Md. --- The Norfolk State women's basketball team earned a No. 13 seed in the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament and will take on No. 4 seed Maryland in the first round at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Mar. 22 at the XFINITY Center in College Park, Md.
The No. 13 seed marks Norfolk State's highest NCAA Tournament seeding in the program's Division I era.
The Spartans (30-4, 14-0 MEAC) enter their third consecutive NCAA Tournament following a 68-56 win against Howard in the MEAC Tournament Championship. NSU has its eyes set on winning its first NCAA Tournament game, with Maryland (23-7, 13-5 B1G) standing in its way.
The marks the first time in school history that the two teams have met in this win-or-go home matchup.
Saturday's matchup will air live on ESPN with Jay Alter and Helen Williams on the call.
Ross Gordon will provide radio coverage on WNSB Hot 91.1 FM.
WHAT'S AT STAKE
With a win, Norfolk State would:
- earn its first NCAA Tournament victory
- book a trip to the Round of 32
- reach 31 wins for the first time in program history
- face the winner of Alabama and Green Bay in the next round
- mark the eighth win for a No. 13 seed over a No. 4 seed and first since 2021
CHAMPIONS ONCE AGAIN
- Norfolk State won its third consecutive MEAC Tournament Championship with a 68-56 win against Howard
- Kierra Wheeler led NSU with 19 points, adding seven rebounds, six blocks, and four steals
- Diamond Johnson (16) and Anjanae Richardson (10) also scored in double-figures
- Norfolk State dominated the paint, scoring 34 points to Howard's 16 points
- NSU shot 9-of-14 in the fourth quarter (64.3 percent)
- Saturday's game featured two lead changes and two ties
- The Spartans outscored the Bison in second chance points 16-8
- Norfolk State won its third consecutive MEAC Women's Basketball tournament title, securing the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament in the process
- Wheeler earned the tournament's Most Outstanding Player Award
SCOUTING THE TERRAPINS
- Maryland enters the tournament as a No. 4 seed with a record of 23-7 (13-5 B1G)
- UMD comes into the game following a 98-71 loss to Michigan in the Big Ten quarterfinals
- Shyanne Stellers was named to the All-Big Ten First Team for the third Straight season. Kaylene Smikle was named to the First Team by the media and second team by the leagues head coaches.
- The Terrapins are ranked No. 18 in the AP poll released on Mar. 10
- Stellers currently ranks No. 13 on Maryland's all-time scoring list with 1,626 career points.
- Smikle leads the Terrapins with 17.7 points per game, also leading the team with 1.5 steals per game
THE PATH AHEAD
- Norfolk State enters the 2025 NCAA Tournament as a No. 13 seed, facing No. 4 seed Maryland in the first round in College Park Md.
- With a win against Maryland, the Spartans would remain in College Park to face the winner of the No. 4 seed Alabama and No. 12 seed Green Bay in a regular season rematch
- Norfolk State's second round matchup would take place on Monday, Mar. 24
- The National Championship game is slated for 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 6 in Tampa, Florida
For complete coverage of Norfolk State Athletics, please follow the Spartans on social media at @nsuspartans (X/Twitter), /NorfolkStateAthletics (Facebook), @NSUAthletics (Instagram), @nsuathletics (YouTube) or visit the official home of Norfolk State Athletics at nsuspartans.com.
