NORFOLK, Va. — Penn used a 24-10 first quarter to build an early lead and held off the Norfolk State University women's basketball team for a 72-56 win on Sunday afternoon at Joseph G. Echols Memorial Hall.
Clemisha Prackett led the Spartans (1-2) off the bench for the second straight game. She scored 16 points on 7-of-12 shooting and added eight rebounds, two steals and a block. Alexis Davis finished with 11 points and seven rebounds and went 5-of-5 from the free-throw line. Sana'a Garrett scored nine points and dished out four assists, and Cire Worley added eight points, five rebounds and two steals. Elise McClain chipped in six points.
How It Happened
- Trailing 8-4 after two LeAire Nicks free throws at the 7:15 mark of the first quarter, Norfolk State gave up 11 straight points. Penn led 19-4 with 3:28 left in the period.
- Worley and McClain hit back-to-back 3-pointers to cut the deficit to 19-10, but the Quakers scored the final five points of the quarter to lead 24-10.
- Norfolk State answered with a 10-0 run midway through the second quarter. Davis, Garrett, Dahni Suggs and Prackett, twice, all scored inside, and Suggs' layup with 3:58 left in the half made it 27-22.
- Penn closed the half on a 10-2 run to take a 37-24 lead into the break.
- The Quakers shot 10-of-16 in the third quarter and pushed the lead to 21 points. Norfolk State outscored Penn 18-13 in the fourth.
Inside the Numbers
- Norfolk State shot 40.0 percent from the field and went 13-of-14 at the free-throw line.
- The Spartans' bench outscored Penn's 24-14.
- Penn turned 17 Norfolk State turnovers into 21 points. The Spartans forced nine Penn turnovers and scored seven points off them.
- The Quakers shot 43.8 percent and made eight 3-pointers. They also had 17 assists to NSU's eight and won points in the paint 30-28.
- Mataya Gayle led Penn (3-0) with 18 points. Rachel Thatcher had 13 points on 6-of-7 shooting with six assists, and Brooke Suttle added 12 points, five rebounds and four assists.
COACH'S COMMENTS
"Our ladies competed with real heart today against an excellent Penn team, and I'm proud of that fight," said head coach Jermaine Woods. "We'll regroup quickly, because a tremendous challenge awaits as we welcome No. 4 Duke to Echols Hall on Thursday."
UP NEXT
Norfolk State wraps up its season-opening, four-game homestand when it hosts Duke on Thursday, Nov. 12, at Joseph G. Echols Memorial Hall. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m., and the game will stream on the MEAC Network.
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.
