PRINCESS ANNE, Md. --- The Norfolk State women's basketball team earned a hard-fought 57-51 road win over Maryland Eastern Shore on Thursday night.
 
Norfolk State improved to 12-12 overall and 7-2 in MEAC play, while UMES fell to 14-12 and 7-2 in conference action.
 
Junior guard Anjanae Richardson led the Spartans with 19 points, adding six steals, four rebounds and two assists. LeAire Nicks recorded a career-high 18 points and pulled down seven rebounds, while Jasha Clinton added 13 points to give Norfolk State three double-figure scorers.
 
Maryland Eastern Shore controlled the opening quarter, racing out to a 14-2 lead and forcing a Norfolk State timeout with 3:45 remaining. The Spartans closed the period on a 4-2 run to trim the deficit to 14-5 entering the second quarter.
 
Norfolk State opened the second quarter with an 8-2 run, capped by a Richardson and-one layup with 6:42 left before halftime. UMES answered to build a five-point lead, but Clinton's free throws and a 3-pointer from Cire Worley tied the game at 18. The Hawks converted a layup just before the buzzer to take a 20-18 lead into halftime.
 
UMES extended its advantage to four early in the third quarter before the Spartans cut the lead to one at 26-25 on a Nicks free throw. The Hawks responded with a 6-2 run over the next three minutes, but Richardson answered with an and-one jumper to pull Norfolk State within three. UMES pushed the lead back to five following the media timeout before a late layup and Richardson free throws sent the Hawks into the fourth quarter with a 39-38 edge.
 
Nicks gave Norfolk State its first lead of the game with an and-one layup to open the fourth quarter. The Spartans followed with a 6-2 run, highlighted by Clinton free throws, to build a 48-42 lead with 3:26 remaining. Richardson later converted another and-one to give Norfolk State its largest lead at seven. UMES cut the margin to two with 57 seconds left, but Clinton and Da'Brya Clark sealed the win by knocking down four free throws in the final minute.
 
CHECKING THE BOX SCORE

• Norfolk State defeated Maryland Eastern Shore 57-51
• Richardson led all scorers with 19 points
• Nicks (18) and Clinton (13) also scored in double figures
• The game featured two ties and one lead change
• Norfolk State outscored UMES 26-18 in the paint
• UMES held a 44-41 rebounding advantage
• Norfolk State forced 18 turnovers in the win

NEWS & NOTES

• Norfolk State improved to 12-12 with the win (7-2 MEAC)
• Maryland Eastern Shore fell to 14-12 with the loss (7-2 MEAC)
• NSU now leads the all-time series 33-18
• The teams split the regular-season series, with each winning on the road
• Nicks set a new career high with 18 points
• Richardson's six steals marked a career high

 
UP NEXT
The Spartans return to Echols Hall on Saturday, Feb. 14, to face Delaware State at 2 p.m.
 
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