NORFOLK, Va. — The Norfolk State University women's basketball team erased a 12-point third-quarter deficit with an 11-0 fourth-quarter run, but Virginia State's Kendahl Spearman made a free throw with two seconds left to give the Trojans a 63-62 win in the season and home opener on Monday evening at Joseph G. Echols Memorial Hall.
The final 4:18 featured eight lead changes and four ties. LeAire Nicks hit two free throws with 35 seconds left to put the Spartans ahead 61-60. Spearman answered with two free throws at the 20-second mark. Jizelle James split a pair at the line with 15 seconds remaining to tie the game at 62. Nicks fouled out with eight seconds left, and Spearman made the first of two free throws with two seconds on the clock. Cire Worley rebounded the miss, but time expired before the Spartans could get off a shot.
James led Norfolk State (0-1) with 19 points, six rebounds and two steals in her college debut. She went 10-of-14 from the free-throw line and made three 3-pointers. Nicks added 12 points and five rebounds, with nine of her points in the fourth quarter. Off the bench, Alexis Davis went 3-of-3 from the field and 6-of-8 at the line for 12 points and five rebounds. Asia Keels finished with eight points and a game-high five steals. Worley dished out a team-high six assists and added five rebounds and two steals.
How It Happened
- Virginia State scored the first six points of the game and led 20-13 after one quarter. The Spartans shot 4-of-17 in the opening period.
- The Trojans pushed the lead to 10 at 26-16 early in the second quarter. James hit a 3-pointer and two free throws in a 5-0 burst, and Sana'a Garrett's layup cut the margin to 28-24 with 3:05 left in the half. Virginia State took a 30-24 lead into halftime.
- Virginia State stretched its advantage to 47-35 on a Taylor Ragland jumper with 2:05 left in the third. Nicks scored three points and James added a free throw to close the quarter on a 4-0 run.
- Trailing 50-41 after a Spearman 3-pointer at the 9:18 mark, Norfolk State held the Trojans scoreless for more than five minutes. During that stretch the Spartans scored 11 straight points. James hit a 3-pointer and Keels turned a steal into a fast-break layup. Davis then tied the game at 50 with a layup and gave NSU its first lead, 52-50, with two free throws at 4:18.
- The teams traded the lead six more times from there. Raigan McCalla's tip-in with 1:52 left put Virginia State up 60-57. Davis made two free throws at 1:27, and Nicks made two more at :35 to put the Spartans back in front.
Inside the Numbers
- Norfolk State forced 23 Virginia State turnovers and scored 17 points off them. The Spartans also had 12 steals.
- NSU outscored the Trojans 23-16 in the fourth quarter. The Spartans went 12-of-18 at the free-throw line in the period.
- Norfolk State had advantages in second-chance points (12-9), fast-break points (10-7) and assists (12-10). The Spartans went 23-of-36 at the line, while Virginia State went 12-of-20.
- Virginia State shot 45.1 percent from the field to NSU's 32.7 percent. The Trojans also won the rebounding battle 38-34, outscored the Spartans 30-24 in the paint and got 28 bench points to NSU's 18.
- Ragland and Spearman each scored 14 points to lead Virginia State. Ragland added seven rebounds and McCalla grabbed nine.
- The loss was Norfolk State's first to a Division II opponent since a 46-43 home loss to Virginia Union on Jan. 10, 1998, during the program's first season in Division I.
Coach's Comments
"We didn't execute the defensive game plan the way we wanted to, and that falls on me," said head coach Jermaine Woods. "I have to be more thorough in practice and in shootarounds, make sure they understand their assignments and put them in better situations to be successful. I'll be better."
"You could tell they've played together [VSU], and you could tell we haven't. We just weren't connected offensively. We've got to move the ball better, and that's on me."
On James' college debut: "She's been spectacular. She wanted to be here so bad, and she was going to come as a walk-on. She works so hard, and now she's on full scholarship and starting. That's the story to tell. She's fearless, and she doesn't play like a freshman."
"They fought back. They competed and played hard. But no matter who we're playing, we've got to be better, and we will be."
Up Next
Norfolk State stays home to host District of Columbia on Wednesday, Nov. 4, at Joseph G. Echols Memorial Hall. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m.
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.
