Aiming for their fourth consecutive MEAC Championship title, the Spartans will make their fifth consecutive appearance in the championship game after surpassing the University of Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks (#2) 60-51 in the semifinals. This will also be the fifth consecutive year the Lady Spartans will face the Howard University Bison in the championship game.
“It means more for me, for them, because we went through some things this year,” said Spartans Head Coach Jermaine Woods. “I just told everybody it’s not gonna look like last year, but we’ll be back in the championship game – I appreciate these young women so much.”
The Spartans won the jump ball and center LeAire Nicks made the first basket with an easy layup. After the Hawks made their first basket with a jumper from forward Dakieran Turner, they turned the ball over from back-court violation.
Soon after, Spartan guard Da’Brya Clark banged her first three-pointer of the game, shutting down a Hawks 6-0 scoring run.
Struggling against the Hawks’ man-to-man coverage, the Spartans were forced into a shot clock violation. The Hawks managed another scoring run 8-0, and it was also stopped by one of Clark’s three-pointers.
Getting their groove, forward Ciara Bailey blocked a Hawks layup attempt, and guard Jasha Clinton knocked down her first three-pointer of the game for the last shot of the quarter with the Hawks still up 14-11.
Clinton started the second quarter making a basket with a jumper. After Hawks guard Desi Taylor made a three-pointer for their first basket of the quarter, Spartan guard Cire Worley made a driving layup, then followed with a three-point jumper, her first of the game.
Momentum picked up for the Spartans as they fought to trailing behind by one point. Richardson’s block helped the Spartans force a turnover on the Hawks, which led to Worley knocking down a three to take a lead 23-21.
With two minutes left of the half, Hawks guard Ashanti Lynch made a pull up jumper in the paint to tie 23-23, but the Spartans went on an 8-2 scoring run to finish the half in the lead 31-25.
“It means a lot to me – I get excited when we go put that little sticker on the board. I’m like, ‘Get out my way, let’s go y’all,” said Clinton about what it means to move their name up the bracket and play in the championship game. “I’m just proud I even got to get this far with this team and the coaching staff and let my daughter see me get this far.”
The first basket of the second half went to Hawks guard Kalise Hill for a layup, but they had two back-to-back turnovers immediately after for stepping out of bounds. After the Spartans received a 10-second violation, their defense forced a shot clock violation on the Hawks.
Avoiding the violation themselves, Clinton made a three-point jumper and beat the buzzer. Clark prevented the Hawks from getting a three-pointer of their own, and jumped mid-air to block the shot, sending it to the stands.
Trying to reclaim the lead, the Hawks tied the Spartans three times this quarter, but the Spartans took over the last two minutes, ending the quarter on top 42-36.
Starting the last quarter of the match, the Spartans had possession of the ball, but it was instantly stolen and became Hawks ball. They couldn’t secure a basket, and Spartans forward Carmen Kweti snagged the first points of the quarter with two free throws.
Reaching a 10-point lead, the Spartans were determined to prevent the Hawks from catching up and their defense forced another shot-clock violation on their opponent.
Both teams attempted 13 shots, but the Spartans had a low field goal percentage of 23.1% compared to the Hawks shooting 46.2%. The Lady Spartans made up for it by shooting 85.7% from the free throw line making 12-14 shots, which aided their semifinal win 60-51.
“What you saw tonight were some high character women that have been persevering all year and fighting through every battle,” said Woods. “I’m so proud of the effort that they displayed today in front of the hometown fans.”
Clinton was named the “Player of the Game” and finished with 19 points, three assists, and four steals. Worley was right behind her with 15 points, eight rebounds, and three assists.
Hawk leaders of the game were Taylor with nine points, forward Brianna Barnes with four steals, and guard Kalise Hill with four assists.
The championship game against the Howard University Bison will take place at 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 14th at the Norfolk Scope Arena.
Spartan Echo 