NORFOLK, Va. --- The Norfolk State women's basketball team used a balanced offensive effort and strong defense to earn a 93-52 victory over South Carolina State on Saturday afternoon.
 
Norfolk State improved to 14-12 overall and 9-2 in MEAC play, while South Carolina State fell to 5-21 (2-8 MEAC).
 
Anjanae Richardson paced the Spartans with 17 points while adding seven assists, four rebounds, two blocks and two steals. Da'Brya Clark scored 15 points, and Jasha Clinton finished with 13. Cire Worley recorded 15 points and 11 rebounds, while Carmen Kweti added 10 points and 11 boards, as both players notched double-doubles.
 
Norfolk State jumped out quickly, as Worley drilled a 3-pointer and Clinton added a jumper to open a 5-0 lead. South Carolina State trimmed the margin to one with 6:05 left in the first quarter, but Clark sparked a 5-0 run with back-to-back baskets to push the lead to 12-6. The Spartans closed the opening period on a 12-5 run over the final three minutes and carried a 10-point advantage into the second quarter.
 
The Spartans continued to build momentum in the second quarter, opening with a 7-2 run capped by a Jenesis Hill layup to make it 31-16. After trading baskets for several possessions, Norfolk State rattled off a 12-0 run, capped by a Richardson layup with 56 seconds remaining before halftime. A late 3-pointer from the Bulldogs sent NSU into the break with a 47-23 lead.
 
Norfolk State controlled the third quarter, holding South Carolina State scoreless for the first seven minutes of the half while posting a 19-0 run. Richardson extended the lead to 40 with a pair of free throws late in the quarter before the Bulldogs broke through with a basket in the paint.
 
Worley opened the fourth quarter by capping a 9-3 run with a 3-pointer. Niyah Gaston later pushed the lead to 85-42 with a 3-pointer at the 3:09 mark. Clark and Gaston each connected from long range down the stretch as Norfolk State secured the 93-52 victory.
 
CHECKING THE BOX SCORE

• Norfolk State defeated South Carolina State, 93-52
• Richardson led the Spartans with 17 points
• Clark (15) and Clinton (13) also scored in double figures
• Worley (15 points, 11 rebounds) and Kweti (10 points, 11 rebounds) each posted double-doubles
• The game featured no lead changes or ties
• Norfolk State outrebounded South Carolina State, 51-29
• NSU shot 45.9 percent from the field (34-of-74), 44.4 percent from behind the 3-point line (12-of-27), and 72.2 percent at the free throw line (13-of-18)
• The Spartans scored 17 second-chance points and outscored SCSU's bench, 33-17

 
NEWS & NOTES

• Norfolk State improved to 14-12 with the win (9-2 MEAC)
• South Carolina State fell to 5-21 with the loss (2-8 MEAC)
• Norfolk State extended its winning streak to 19 games against South Carolina State
• The Spartans now lead the all-time series, 37-18
• Worley tallied her first career double-double
• Kweti had her first Division I double-double
• Clark sits nine made 3-pointers shy of breaking the single-season program record (70)

 
UP NEXT
Norfolk State closes the regular-season road schedule with a trip to Morgan State on Thursday, Feb. 26, at 6 p.m., before facing Coppin State on Saturday, Feb. 28, at 2 p.m.

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