title image via Matt Patterson
Coach Larry Vickers and the Norfolk State Lady Spartans scored the first HBCU takedown of a power 5 of the season via a 57-54 defeat of Missouri.
Norfolk State took an early 2-0 on Anjanae Richardson’s fast-break layup. After Grace Slaughter’s jumper tied the game, a pair of free throws from Angelique Ngalakulondi put the Tigers in front. Missouri showed the way for most of the opening period until Niya Fields’ three-pointer put the Spartans in front 13-12 with 0:51 remaining in the frame.
The teams stumbled out of the gates in the second quarter, with the teams combining for 0/7 and the first field goal not coming until Kierra Wheeler tickled the twine from the land of three at the 7:17 mark of the period that gave NSU a 16-13 lead. Although Missouri would tie the contest at 16 and 21, Norfolk State showed the way for the majority of the frame, taking a 26-23 into halftime.
Norfolk State led the entirety of the third quarter, building their advantage to as much as eight points at 33-25 on a Kierra Wheeler fast break layup. The Spartans took a 42-40 lead into the game’s final frame.
Missouri tied the game at 42 on a Ngalakulondi layup. The Tigers eliminated a 5-point NSU lead, jumping out in front at 53-51 on a three-pointer from. Abbey Schreacke to take their first lead since a 12-10 in the first quarter. Missouri’s time in front was short-lived, as just 40 ticks later Diamond Johnson’s three ball put the Lady Spartans back in front 54-53. An Ashton Judd free throw would knot the game at 54. NSU reclaimed the lead for good at 56-54 on Wheeler’s layup. A free throw from Wheeler would bring the game to its final count.
It was the program’s first win over an SEC school and the first over a Power 5 team since the 1979-80 season.
The win lifts the Lady Spartans to 3-0 and drops Missouri to 1-2 on the season.
It doesn’t get any easier for Coach Larry Vickers and the Lady Spartans as they take on Alabama Wednesday night with tip-off set for 6:00 pm CST.
Team Statistics
| Game Stats | Norf | MO |
|---|---|---|
| FG% | .379 | .382 |
| 3FG% | .348 | .467 |
| FT% | .714 | .625 |
| RB | 39 | 34 |
| TO | 16 | 14 |
| STL | 12 | 8 |
