The Norfolk State Spartans overpowered the South Carolina State Bulldogs 83-37 on February 1st in Joseph Echols Hall. A double-double from Spartan forward, Kierra Wheeler, led the team to victory.
The Spartans had a slow start in the first quarter and struggled both on offense and defense. Miscommunication between the Spartans resulted in Bulldogs guard, Angie Juste-Jean, getting a steal and making a layup for the first basket of the game.
Getting calls back-to-back for jump ball, traveling, lane violations, and personal fouls, the Spartans had multiple turnovers. The Bulldogs used that to their advantage and went on a 13-0 scoring run.
A foul on the Bulldogs gave the Spartans two shots, which Spartan guard Jenesis Hill knocked both of them down. Once the Spartans put a stop to the Bulldogs’ scoring run, there was slow scoring on both sides to end the quarter 4-17.
The Spartans had a dominating comeback and took over the second quarter. Their 17-0 scoring run, including several baskets from guard Da’Brya Clark, gave them their first lead of the game. Not only was the Spartan’s offense unstoppable, but their defense was overpowering as well, only allowing the bulldogs to put five points on the scoreboard this quarter to end the half 38-23.
Going into the third quarter, the Spartans didn’t let their foot off of the gas and stretched their lead further. Still putting up a fight, Bulldogs guard Shaunice Reed made both a basket and a free throw after getting fouled by Spartan guard Niya Fields.
Clark responded by blocking a Bulldogs shot and met her teammate, forward Skye Robinson, for a jumper. Followed was a three-pointer from Spartan guard Anjanae Richardson. With under 19 seconds left of the third quarter, Wheeler made a layup from underneath to end the quarter 63-32.
The fourth quarter was similar to the third quarter with the Spartans putting a bigger gap in their lead. Around the second minute of the game, Richardson had a quick layup, and a steal by Robinson put the ball back in the Spartans’ hands.
A steal and layup from Spartan guard, Da’naijah Williams helped the Spartans keep the momentum going as they are finishing out the game. Soon after, she was fouled and made both of her free throws.
Even with the Spartans having double the points of their opponent, the Bulldog saw an opportunity to score with the Spartans getting called on multiple fouls, which included a foul and a turnover by Hill, and a foul by forward Ciara Bailey. Those two opportunities for the Bulldogs to score weren’t enough to push them to the lead, and the Spartans took the game 83-37.
Spartan leaders of the game were Kierra Wheeler with 19 points, 16 rebounds, four blocks, and four steals; and Diamond Johnson with five assists. Bulldog leaders of the game were Angie Juste-Jean with nine points and one steal; Rakyha Reid with eight points and eight rebounds; and Heaven Harper with two assists, one block, seven rebounds, and one steal.
Spartan Echo 