NORFOLK, Va. --- The Norfolk State women's basketball team closed the 2025-26 season with a 58-54 loss to Loyola Chicago in the first round of the WNIT on Saturday afternoon.
 
Da'Brya Clark led Norfolk State with 19 points, adding four assists, two steals, one rebound and one block. She marked the lone Spartan in double figures.
 
Loyola Chicago opened the game on a 6-0 run, forcing a Norfolk State timeout with 7:47 remaining in the first quarter. The Spartans answered with a 7-0 run out of the break, capped by a Ciara Bailey three-point play. Both teams traded baskets down the stretch, but Norfolk State built a four-point edge and carried a 15-12 lead into the second quarter after a Carmen Kweti layup.
 
Norfolk State pushed its lead to six early in the second quarter on a Jasha Clinton 3-pointer. Loyola Chicago responded and trimmed the deficit to two before tying the game at 22-22 with 2:31 left in the half. Clark and Cire Worley each hit a 3-pointer late, sending the Spartans into the break with a 28-25 advantage.
 
Both teams traded baskets to open the third quarter before Clark converted at the free-throw line to give Norfolk State a two-point edge. The Spartans extended the lead to 38-34, but Loyola Chicago answered with a 6-0 run to take control. Kweti scored on a putback with less than a second remaining to tie the game heading into the fourth quarter.
 
Norfolk State regained a four-point lead after a Richardson free throw with 7:44 to play. Loyola Chicago responded with a 9-1 run to move back in front midway through the period. Clark knocked down a 3-pointer to tie the game again late.
 
Loyola Chicago took a two-point lead at the free-throw line with three seconds remaining. Clark drew a foul on the ensuing possession and made two of three free throws to tie the game with just over a second left. The Ramblers secured the win at the line following a Norfolk State foul on the final possession.
 
CHECKING THE BOX SCORE

• Da'Brya Clark led the Spartans with 19 points, adding four assists, two steals, one rebound, and one block
• Norfolk State shot 50 percent from the field in the first quarter (7-of-14)
• LUC scored 16 second-chance points to the Spartans' nine
• Each team had 20 turnovers
• Loyola Chicago outrebounded the Spartans 46-36
• Saturday's game featured six lead changes and 14 ties

 
NEWS & NOTES

• Norfolk State finished the season 18-15
• Loyola Chicago improved to 15-17
• The Ramblers now lead the all-time series 1-0

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