NORFOLK, Va. — The Norfolk State women's basketball team earned a 58-45 victory over North Carolina Central on Saturday afternoon at Joseph G. Echols Memorial Hall.
 
The win marked the 50th career victory for head coach Jermaine Woods. Norfolk State improved to 11-12 overall and 6-2 in MEAC play, while North Carolina Central fell to 5-15 (1-6 MEAC).
 
Da'Brya Clark led the Spartans with her third career double-double, finishing with 23 points and 11 rebounds. She added three assists, three steals, and two blocks. Anjanae Richardson also scored in double figures, contributing 10 points.
 
Norfolk State jumped out to a 4-0 lead before North Carolina Central answered with a 5-0 run to take its first lead of the game. The teams traded baskets through the midpoint of the first quarter until Carmen Kweti connected on a jumper to give the Spartans a 10-8 edge. The Eagles closed the quarter on a 5-0 run to take a three-point lead into the second.
 
Clark opened the second quarter with a 3-pointer to tie the game at 15 before the Eagles responded with a triple of their own. Norfolk State then went on a 9-0 run, capped by a Niyah Gaston 3-pointer, to build a 24-18 advantage. North Carolina Central trimmed the deficit late, but the Spartans carried a four-point lead into halftime.
 
Richardson opened the second half with a driving layup, though the Eagles quickly cut the margin to two. Clark drained another 3-pointer to restore a six-point lead, but North Carolina Central answered with a 6-0 run to tie the game. Norfolk State regained momentum late in the third quarter, taking a 41-38 lead before a Jasha Clinton layup pushed the Spartans ahead by five entering the fourth.
 
Norfolk State opened the final quarter with back-to-back baskets from Jenesis Hill and Clinton to extend the lead to 47-38. Richardson later converted a layup to give the Spartans their largest lead of the game at 53-41, and Norfolk State closed out the 58-45 victory from there.
 
CHECKING THE BOX SCORE

• Norfolk State defeated North Carolina Central 58-45
• Da'Brya Clark led the Spartans with 23 points, adding 11 rebounds, three assists, three steals, and two blocks
• Anjanae Richardson also scored in double figures with 10 points
• Saturday's game featured five ties and four lead changes
• NSU went 20-of-30 from the free throw line (66.7 percent)
• The Spartans outrebounded the Eagles 47-to-36
• The Eagles bench outscored the Spartans bench 23-to-9

 
NEWS & NOTES

• The win marked Norfolk State Head Coach Jermaine Woods' 50th career win
• Norfolk State improved to 11-12 with the win (6-2 MEAC)
• North Carolina Central dropped to 5-15 (1-6 MEAC)
• NSU extended its winning streak against NCCU to eight, while sweeping the season series
• The Spartans are now 33-10 all-time against the Eagles
• Da'Brya Clark recorded her third career double-double

UP NEXT
Norfolk State returns to action on Thursday, Feb. 12, traveling to Maryland Eastern Shore for a 6 p.m. tipoff in Princess Anne, Md.
 
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