NORFOLK, Va. — The Norfolk State University women's basketball team fell in a tightly contested Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference matchup, dropping a 63-60 decision to Maryland Eastern Shore on Thursday evening at Joseph G. Echols Memorial Hall.

With the setback, the Spartans move to 6-11 overall and 1-1 in MEAC play, while the Hawks improve to 9-10 on the season and 2-0 in conference action.

Junior guard Da'Brya Clark led Norfolk State with 18 points, knocking down four three-pointers and shooting 4-of-6 from the free throw line. LeAire Nicks added 10 points and four rebounds, while Ciara Bailey contributed eight points, seven rebounds, and six blocks to anchor the Spartan defense.

The two teams traded baskets early before Maryland Eastern Shore seized momentum with a 12-5 run over the final seven minutes of the opening quarter to take a 16-10 lead into the second.

Norfolk State responded with a 10-4 spurt midway through the second quarter, evening the score at 20-20 with 4:48 remaining following layups from Bailey and Anjanae Richardson, along with a three-pointer from Clark. UMES regrouped defensively, holding NSU scoreless the rest of the half to carry a 27-20 advantage into the break.

The Hawks extended their lead to 12, 34-22, early in the third quarter, but the Spartans mounted an impressive rally. Norfolk State outscored UMES 24-8 over a seven-minute stretch to claim its first lead since the opening minutes. Cire Worley sparked the run with seven points, while Bailey added five, and Clark buried a go-ahead three-pointer with 43 seconds left in the quarter to give NSU a 44-42 edge.

The Spartans entered the fourth quarter holding a slim 46-45 lead and maintained control until the six-minute mark, when UMES tied the contest at 54-all. The teams traded momentum down the stretch, with the score tied twice more, the last coming at 60-60.

Maryland Eastern Shore pulled ahead, 62-60, with 19 seconds remaining. Norfolk State's final attempt to tie fell short, and UMES's Dakieran Turner split a pair of free throws to seal the 63-60 Hawk victory.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE 

• FINAL: Maryland Eastern Shore 63, Norfolk State 60 
• Da'Brya Clark: 18 points, three steals, five rebounds, two assists and one block 
• Ciara Bailey: eight points, seven rebounds and six blocks 
• LeAire Nicks: 10 points, four rebounds 
• Blocks: NSU 10, UMES 2 

STORYLINES 

• The loss to UMES snaps a nine-game winning streak against the Hawks dating back to the 2017-18 season 
• Head Coach Jermaine Woods sits five wins away from 50 career coaching wins 

UP NEXT 

The Spartans have a quick turnaround as they travel to Dover, Del., to face the Hornets of Delaware State on Saturday, Jan. 10, at 2 p.m. in Alumni Gymnasium at Memorial Hall.