NORFOLK, Va. --- Four Norfolk State women's basketball players scored in double figures as the Spartans defeated Morgan State 78-52 on Thursday evening.
 
Norfolk State improved to 9-11 overall and 4-1 in MEAC play, while Morgan State fell to 3-18 overall and 2-3 in conference action.
 
Jasha Clinton led the Spartans with 18 points, four rebounds, four steals and four assists. Cire Worley added 16 points and eight rebounds, while Anjanae Richardson scored 16 and Da'Brya Clark finished with 13.
 
Morgan State jumped out to an early 7-4 lead in the first quarter before Norfolk State answered with a 7-4 run to tie the game on a steal and layup by Richardson. NSU took its first lead on a 3-pointer by Niyah Gaston and carried a one-point advantage into the second quarter.
 
Norfolk State opened the second quarter with a 7-2 run and extended the lead to eight on a Clark layup with 5:06 remaining in the half. Morgan State trimmed the deficit to six with a 3-pointer, but LeAire Nicks pushed the margin to double digits with an and-one layup. Richardson later gave NSU a 15-point cushion with a layup, and the Spartans took a 37-24 lead into halftime after two Morgan State free throws.
 
The Spartans opened the second half with a 7-0 run, capped by a jumper from Worley. Morgan State responded with a 10-4 run to cut the deficit to 14 before Clinton halted the surge with a layup. Norfolk State closed the third quarter with back-to-back 3-pointers from Worley to take a 61-40 lead into the fourth.
 
Norfolk State opened the final quarter with an 8-2 run, highlighted by a Richardson fast-break and-one. The Bears scored the next six points, but the Spartans finished the game on a 9-2 run over the final five minutes to secure their third straight victory.
 
CHECKING THE BOX SCORE

• Norfolk State defeated Morgan State 78-52
• Jasha Clinton tallied 18 points, four rebounds, four steals, and four assists to lead NSU
• Cire Worley (16), Anjanae Richardson (16), and Da'Brya Clark (13) each scored in double figures
• Worley led NSU on the boards with eight, while LeAire Nicks tallied seven
• NSU outrebounded MSU 36-28
• Norfolk State shot 56.25 percent in the second quarter (9-of-16)
• Thursday's game featured five ties and three lead changes
• Morgan State outscored the Spartans' bench 24-7

 
NEWS & NOTES

• Norfolk State improved to 9-11 with the win (4-1 MEAC)
• Morgan State fell to 3-18 with the loss (2-3 MEAC)
• NSU now leads the all-time series 31-19
• Head coach Jermaine Woods sits two wins shy of his 50th career victory
• The Spartans picked up their third straight win and their sixth straight win against Morgan State
• Worley tied her career high with eight rebounds

 
UP NEXT
Norfolk State will face Coppin State at a new time on Saturday, Jan. 24, due to inclement weather. Tipoff is set for 11 a.m. at Echols Hall.
 
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