Norfolk State Outlasts Howard Women’s Basketball
WASHINGTON (January 11, 2020) – Howard University women’s basketball team dropped a tough bout versus Norfolk State (NSU), 80-83, inside Burr Gymnasium. With the setback, HU falls to 9-7 (1-2 MEAC) on the season.
Howard shot a respectable 47-percent (27-of-58), including 50-percent (8-of-16) from behind the arc. Senior guard Ayonna Williams (Washington) led the Bison attack, scoring 27 points on 9-of-16 shooting with four buckets from downtown.
Both squads were deadlocked after one, 19-19, until the Bison created separation before intermission. With only 21 ticks remaining, Howard extended its advantage to double digits, 48-38, but a jumper from NSU’s Chanette Hicks at the waning moments sliced the halftime deficit down to single digits, 48-40.
After intermission, Norfolk State took control and outscored HU, 9-23, in the third period. NSU scored 12 points off turnovers and held a six-point lead going into the fourth, 57-63. Overall, the Bison committed 31 turnovers, which the Spartans turned into 33 points off turnovers.
Minutes into the fourth, NSU held a double-digit advantage, 59-69, but the Bison refused to go away. Throughout the quarter, HU chipped away and regained the upper hand after a trey ball from Williams at the 3:35 mark, 74-73.
Norfolk took the lead back with more than two minutes remaining, but a pair of clutch free throws from senior forward Imani Bryant (Berkeley, Calif.) tied the contest, 76-76. NSU scored five unanswered late, but the Bison pulled within one, 81-80.
After the Spartans made a pair of free throws with eight ticks left, 83-80, Howard missed a game-tying three-pointer to send the contest into OT.
Bryant finished with a double-double (11 boards and 10 points) while senior guard Sarah Edmond (Freeport, N.Y.) added 17 points in the loss.
FINAL@NorfolkStateWBB 83
Howard 80the Spartans hang on against Howard to move to 3-0 in the MEAC. Chanette Hicks leads the Spartans with 30 points, followed by La'Deja James with 24 points. pic.twitter.com/pam0wWgMHp
— Norfolk State Athletics (@NSUSpartans) January 11, 2020
For NSU (7-7, 3-0 MEAC), Hicks led the way with a game-high 30 points while La’deja James chipped in 24 points.
Monday (Jan. 13), Howard ends its three-game home stand with South Carolina State. Tipoff is slated for 5:30 p.m. inside The Burr.
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.
(Story and Picture courtesy of Howard University Athletics)
