NORFOLK, Va. (Courtesy of Norfolk State Athletics) – The Norfolk State women’s basketball team took care of business by defeating Coppin State 61-53 to secure first place in the MEAC at Echols Hall on Saturday afternoon.
Diamond Johnson led the Spartans (14-5. 3-1 MEAC) with 22 points on 7-of-17 shooting, finishing 7-of-8 from the free-throw line. Kiara Wheeler finished with a double-double of 14 points and 12 rebounds to go along with three blocks.
Wheeler has recorded a block in nine straight games with this being her fifth-multi block game of the season.
Free throws by Skye Robinson which tied the game at 32-32 with 3:45 left in the third quarter, sparked a 13-0 Spartans run. The Spartans never trailed for the rest of the game, outscoring the Eagles (6-12, 3-1 MEAC) 39-27 in the second half to take the win.
Skye Robinson secured four points and 10 rebounds in the win. Da’Brya Clark had eight points, two rebounds, and one assist.
Checking The Box Score
- Diamond Johnson led all scorers, collecting 22 points on 7-of-17 shooting
- Kiara Wheeler finished with a double-double after tallying 14 points and 12 rebounds
- Wheeler has had two consecutive multi-block games
- The Spartans went 14-of-17 from the free-throw line (82.4 percent)
- NSU scored 22 points off of Coppin State’s 17 turnovers
- NSU outscored the Eagles 30-12 on points in the paint
- The Spartans outscored the Eagles 18-7 in the third quarter
News & Notes
- Norfolk State improved to 14-5, 3-1 in the MEAC with the victory
- Coppin State fell to 6-12, 3-1 in the MEAC with the loss
- Norfolk State moves into a tie for first place in the MEAC after defeating Coppin State
- The win gives the Spartans a two game win streak
- The Spartans are two games into a four game homestand
UP NEXT
The Spartans will face the Bears of Morgan State on Monday as they look to keep their top spot in the MEAC. The matchup will air on Spartan Showcase and WNSB 91.1 FM
