NORFOLK, Va. – Diamond Johnson's impressive 20-point first half performance led the Norfolk State women's basketball team to a dominant 80-59 win over Maryland Eastern Shore on Monday night.

Johnson's performance was spectacular: 29 points on a career high five three-pointers. Going 5-6 (83.3 percent) from deep, this was Johnson's best three-point shooting performance this year.

Johnson was responsible for five of the six Spartan three-pointers.

Scoring 20 of the 46 first half points, Johnson allowed the Spartans to never surrender the lead. At its peak, NSU led by as much as 23 points.

Points in the paint (40) and points off turnovers (30) combined for 70 of the Spartans' points. Eighteen caused turnovers to go along with 12 steals showcased the Spartan defensive prowess. 

Coming in with the 11th nationally ranked scoring defense, this is the third straight game that the Spartans have accumulated 10 or more steals as a team.  

Kierra Wheeler, the conference's leading scorer, was also in double-digits for the Spartans finishing with 19 points, five rebounds, three assists, and two steals on 6-of-9 shooting. 

Niya Fields led the team in assists on Monday with four to go along with seven points.

Checking The Box Score

• Diamond Johnson had 20 of the 46 Spartan points in the first half
• Johnson ties her career high of 29 points which last came against Mary Washington on Jan. 22
• The Spartans combined for 70 points on points in the paint and points off turnovers
• The Spartans never surrendered the lead 
• The Spartans led by 23 points at its peak

News & Notes

• Norfolk State improved to 17-5, 6-1 in the MEAC following the win
• Maryland Eastern Shore fell to 10-11. 3-4 MEAC following the loss
• The Spartans play the Hawks again on Feb. 19 on Ladies Night/Breast Cancer Awareness
• The Spartans are in first place in the conference with a 6-1 record
• The Spartans own a five-game win streak 
• The Spartans have won six straight matchups against the Hawks

UP NEXT
The Spartans will host the Bulldogs of South Carolina State at home for their next matchup on Saturday at 2 p.m. at Echols Hall for Alumni Day/Spardi Gras.

For complete coverage of Norfolk State Athletics, please follow the Spartans on social media at @nsuspartans (Twitter), /NorfolkStateAthletics (Facebook), @NSUAthletics (Instagram), @nsuathletics (YouTube) or visit the official home of Norfolk State Athletics at nsuspartans.com.