image via Nick Sutton
Courtesy of Noah Schlekeway, Assistant SID, Norfolk State Athletics
The Norfolk State women’s basketball team never trailed in Monday’s contest against North Carolina Central, taking down the Eagles 88-52 at Echols Hall.
Graduate guard Diamond Johnson led Norfolk State with 24 points, seven rebounds, five steals, and three assists. Da’Brya Clark (14) and Ciara Bailey (13) also scored in double-figures in the win.
Norfolk State started the game off strong with an 8-0 run capped off with a Makoye Diawara layup. NSU extended its lead to 15-4 following the media timeout with a layup from Wheeler. Johnson drained a 3-pointer with 3:30 left in the first quarter, extending the Spartans advantage. NSU ended the first quarter with a pair of 3-pointers from Johnson and Clark, allowing the Spartans to take a 26-9 lead into the second quarter.
North Carolina Central answered back to open the second quarter with a 3-pointer from Kayla Bryant, cutting into the Norfolk State advantage. Junior guard Da’naijah Williams picked off the Eagles, leading to an and-one layup from Bailey at the other end of the court.
Graduate guard Niya Fields found Johnson wide-open at the top left side of the 3-point line, draining the 3-pointer to give NSU a 24-point lead with 6:01 remaining before halftime. The Eagles attempted to chip away at the Spartans advantage following the media timeout, going on a 7-3 run. A basket from Richardson and a pair of free throws from Bailey allowed the Spartans to take a 44-20 lead into the locker room.
The Spartans continued to bring the offensive attack to the Eagles, opening the half with a 7-2 run capped off by a 3-pointer from Johnson. NSU used a pair of 3-pointers from Richardson and Johnson on back-to-back possessions, extending its advantage to 65-27 late in the third quarter. Bailey continued her strong offensive day, getting to the hoop for the and-one right before the end of the quarter.
Williams got the Spartans going to open the fourth quarter, getting to the hoop for a layup on the opening possession. The Eagles gained some momentum through the next three minutes of the game with a 7-3 run. Sophomores guard Jenesis Hill and Johnson put the final touches on the 88-52 victory, scoring the last five points of the contest.
Checking the Box Score
- Graduate guard Diamond Johnson led NSU with 24 points, seven rebounds, five steals, and three assists.
- Da’Brya Clark (14) and Ciara Bailey (13) both scored in double-figures in the win
- Graduate guard Niya Fields matched her career high in rebounds (8) and surpassed her career high in assists (9)
- Makoye Diawara grabbed double-figure rebounds in the win (10)
- Diamond Johnson went 6-of-10 from the free throw line (60.0 percent)
- Norfolk State grabbed a season high 57 rebounds in the win
- NSU’s bench outscored NCCU’s bench 32-8
News & Notes
- Norfolk State improved to 20-4 with the win (7-0 MEAC)
- North Carolina Central fell to 6-15 with the loss (3-3 MEAC)
- NSU now leads the all-time series 32-10
- The Spartans have won at least 20 games for three consecutive seasons
- NSU extended its home winning streak to 24 straight games
- Ciara Bailey scored a career high 13 points
Up Next
Norfolk State returns to action at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 15 at Maryland Eastern Shore.
