title image via Matt Patterson
Courtesy of Noah Schlekeway, Assistant SID
The Norfolk State women’s basketball team travels to Chapel Hill, N.C. for the first time in school history to take on No. 19 North Carolina on Saturday, Dec. 21 at 12 p.m.
The game will mark the second time this season NSU has faced a nationally ranked opponent, nearly upsetting No. 22 Alabama on the road in November.
Norfolk State overcame a 12-point fourth-quarter deficit to take down Drexel 68-56 on Wednesday, Dec. 18 at Echols Hall. Senior forward Kierra Wheelerled the Spartans with a double-double, scoring 12 points and grabbing 12 rebounds to go with three blocks and three steals.
Sophomore guard Anjanae Richardson (14) and graduate guard Diamond Johnson (11) also scored in double figures for the Spartans.
Saturday’s game will air live on ACCNX. Fans can also listen to the game and follow live stats on goheels.com.
LAST TIME OUT
- Senior Kierra Wheeler led NSU with 21 points and 12 rebounds
- Sophomore guard Anjanae Richardson (14) and graduate guard Diamond Johnson (11) both scored in double figures
- NSU outrebounded DU 41-32
- The game featured two lead changes, with the score being tied seven times
- Norfolk State shot 52.9% in the fourth quarter (9-17)
- NSU overcame a 12-point deficit in the fourth quarter, going on a 16-0 run
- The Spartans outscored the Dragons 27-6 in the fourth quarter
NSU VS. ACC OPPONENTS
- Norfolk State and North Carolina meet for the first time on Saturday
- NSU is 5-14 all-time against ACC opponents
- The Spartans own five victories over Virginia with the last win happening in 1979 (NSU 57, UVA 53).
SCOUTING THE TAR HEELS
- North Carolina is 6-1 at home this season with its only loss coming to No. 25 Georgia Tech on Dec. 15 (82-76)
- The Tar Heels are 2-0 against MEAC opponents this season, defeating North Carolina Central 119-43, and Coppin State, 72-46
- UNC averages 74.2 points per game while only allowing an ACC-best 52.5 points per game
- Graduate guard/forward Alyssa Ustby leads the Tar Heels with 10.8 points and 8.7 rebounds per game
- Senior forward/center Maria Gakdeng also averages double figures for North Carolina with 10.3 points per game
- UNC has remained nationally ranked all season, with its highest ranking coming in at No. 14
