BALTIMORE, Md. — The Norfolk State women's basketball team secured a hard-fought road victory Thursday night, defeating Morgan State 69-60 at Hill Field House.
 
Niyah Gaston and LeAire Nicks led the Spartans with 12 points apiece. Gaston knocked down four 3-pointers, while Anjanae Richardson added 11 points, a career-high nine assists, seven rebounds and two steals.
 
Norfolk State opened the game with a 4-0 lead following a Nicks jumper, but Morgan State responded with an 11-0 run. Richardson halted the surge with a jumper, though the Bears built a 15-10 advantage with 2:45 remaining in the first quarter. The Spartans answered with a 7-2 run to tie the game heading into the second.
 
The Spartans carried momentum into the second quarter as Gaston drained a pair of 3-pointers. Morgan State pulled within four at 25-21, but Richardson and Cire Worley each scored at the rim to push the lead to 29-21 with 2:15 left in the half. The Bears closed the period on a 5-2 run, trimming the deficit to five at the break.
 
Da'Brya Clark opened the second half with a 3-pointer, but Morgan State responded with an 8-0 run to even the score. Norfolk State reclaimed control with an 8-2 spurt capped by a Jasha Clinton layup. After the Bears cut the margin to two, the Spartans closed the third quarter on a 6-0 run to take a 49-43 lead.
 
Morgan State opened the fourth with an 8-2 run to pull within 53-51 with 7:08 remaining. Norfolk State answered with a 7-2 run midway through the quarter to extend the lead to 62-55. The Bears again closed within three with 2:33 left, but the Spartans sealed the win with a decisive 6-0 run down the stretch.

CHECKING THE BOX SCORE

• Norfolk State defeated Morgan State 69-60
• Niyah Gaston and LeAire Nicks each scored 12 points to lead the team
• Anjanae Richardson added 11 points, nine assists, and seven rebounds
• NSU shot 43.6 percent from the field (24-of-55) and 84.2 percent at the free throw line (16-of-19)
• Norfolk State shot 50 percent in the second quarter (6-of-12)
• Thursday's game featured three ties and two lead changes
• Morgan State outrebounded Norfolk State 42-35

 
NEWS & NOTES

• Norfolk State improved to 15-12 with the win (10-2 MEAC)
• Morgan State fell to 4-24 with the loss (3-9 MEAC)
• Norfolk State now leads the all-time series 32-19
• NSU has now won seven straight meetings against Morgan State
• Richardson set a new career high with nine assists

 
UP NEXT
Norfolk State will play its final road game of the regular season, taking on Coppin State on Saturday, Feb. 28, at 2 p.m. in Baltimore.
 
For complete coverage of Norfolk State Athletics, please follow the Spartans on social media at @nsuspartans (X/Twitter), /NorfolkStateAthletics (Facebook), @NSUAthletics (Instagram), @nsuathletics (YouTube) or visit the official home of Norfolk State Athletics at nsuspartans.com.