OXFORD, Miss. --- The Norfolk State women's basketball team opened its season under first-year head coach Jermaine Woods on the road against nationally ranked Ole Miss, falling 87-46 on Monday afternoon.
 
The Spartans dropped to 0-1, while No. 12 Ole Miss improved to 1-0.
 
Jasha Clinton led Norfolk State with 16 points on 6-of-10 shooting. Da'Brya Clark added 14 points, while Cire Worley anchored the defense with seven rebounds. Clark followed with four boards.
 
The teams traded baskets early, with Clark giving the Spartans their first lead on a 3-pointer. Ole Miss built a four-point edge before baskets from Clinton and Ciara Bailey tied the game at 12. The Rebels closed the quarter on a 10-4 run to take a 22-16 lead into the second.
 
Ole Miss extended its lead to nine early in the second quarter before Clinton scored on a layup. The Rebels pushed the advantage to 15 midway through the frame, but Clark's free throws trimmed the deficit to 36-23. Ole Miss hit a 3-pointer with 1:45 left in the half and carried a 40-25 lead into the locker room after both teams locked in defensively to close the quarter.
 
Anjanae Richardson opened the second half with a jumper from the free-throw line, cutting into the Ole Miss lead. The Rebels responded with a 5-0 spurt to go up 18, then used a 7-0 run to extend the margin to 22. Clinton converted off a turnover to stop the run, but Ole Miss scored the final two baskets of the quarter to lead 60-32 entering the fourth.
 
Ole Miss started the final period with a 6-0 burst before Bailey ended the stretch with a midrange jumper. Richardson sank two free throws midway through the quarter, and Norfolk State followed with a 5-0 run late in the frame. The Rebels answered with a 3-pointer to close out the 87-46 victory.
 
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"It was a great game and I'm extremely proud of the effort and fight our team showed tonight," head women's basketball coach Jermaine Woods said. "We did turn the ball over a bit more than we would've liked but credit to them – they applied great defensive pressure throughout the game. I also want to think Coach Yo for the opportunity; that's an elite eight, final four-caliber team we face."
 
"I'm proud of how our young women responded," Woods added. "We already know what we need to improve on, and we'll continue to focus on getting better everyday. We'll regroup, keep our heads high and look to build some momentum as we aim to get two wins in a row."
 
CHECKING THE BOX SCORE

• No. 12 Ole Miss defeated Norfolk State 87-46
• NSU shot 41.5% from the field (17-of-41)
• The Spartans hit 71.4% from the free-throw line (10-of-14)
• Ole Miss outrebounded the Spartans 42-21
• Jasha Clinton (16) and Da'Brya Clark (14) each scored in double figures
• Cire Worley led NSU in rebounding with seven.

 
NEWS & NOTES

• Norfolk State fell to 0-1 to start the season
• Ole Miss improved to 1-0 to start the season
• The Rebels now lead the all-time series 2-0
• NSU is now 5-11 in season openers on the road
• The game marked Woods' first game as Norfolk State's head coach  
• Ole Miss will visit Echols Hall next season as part of a home-and-home series

 
UP NEXT
Norfolk State returns home Thursday, Nov. 6, to host the University of the District of Columbia at 6 p.m. at Echols Hall.
 
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