BALTIMORE, Md. (Jan. 13, 2025)--Coming off its first Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) loss on Saturday at preseason co-favorite Howard, the schedule didn't get any easier for Morgan State, as it welcomed the league's other preseason co-favorite, the two-time defending MEAC champion Norfolk State Spartans to Hill Field House on Monday evening.
 
The Spartans would erupt for a 30-point first quarter performance and withstood several Morgan State runs to hold on for a 77-69 MEAC victory. The loss would be the first this season at home for Morgan State.
 
Norfolk State (16-4, 4-0 MEAC), which has appeared in the last three MEAC title games, winning the last two, extended its winning streak to four straight over Morgan State to up its series lead to 29-19 over the Lady Bears. The Spartans also improved to 39-7 in MEAC play dating back to the 2021-22 season.
 
Kierra Wheeler and Diamond Johnson each scored a game-high 24 points in the win for the Spartans. Wheeler shot 73% from the floor (11-of-15) and pulled down a game-high 13 rebounds to record a double-double, while Johnson tallied a game-high eight steals and tied teammate Niya Fields for game high honors with seven assists.
 
Morgan State (9-10, 2-2 MEAC) was paced by Gabrielle Johnson, who scored a team-high 16 points on 6-of-10 shooting. Naya Ojukwu collected her second double-double in four games, finishing with 13 points and a team-high 11 rebounds. Laila Fair added 10 points, six rebounds, three steals and a game-high three blocks.  
 
Norfolk State held a 16-10 lead before scoring 12 straight points in the midst of a 14-1 run to close out the first period and take a 30-11 advantage.
 
Morgan State responded in the second quarter by being aggressive on the offensive end and turning up the defense. The Lady Bears forced six Norfolk State turnovers, while using an 11-0 spurt to begin the second period and pull within 30-22 with 5:09 remaining in the half.
 
Da'Brya Clark (12 points) hit a three-pointer with 3:34 left in the period to end Morgan's run and put the guests ahead by 11 (33-22). The Spartans would take a 39-29 lead in the locker room at the intermission.
 
A three-pointer by Tamaria Rumph to begin the third period cut the Norfolk State deficit to 39-32. However, the Spartans used a mini 7-0 run to push their lead up to 14 at 46-32. Morgan State would not go away, as Michaela Bogans hit a three-pointer with 4:42 to play in the third to cap off a 9-2 run and bring the Lady Bears within 48-41.
 
Again, Norfolk State would hold off the Lady Bears, as it closed out the period using a 9-5 run to maintain a 57-46 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
 
Trailing 74-58 with 1:54 remaining in the game, Morgan State made one final charge, outscoring the Spartans 11-1 to cut the deficit to 75-69 after a jumper by Bogans with 7.4 seconds to play.
 
Wheeler then knocked down two free throws for Norfolk State for the game's final score.
 
The guests finished the game shooting 50% (31-of-62) from the floor, including 5-of-17 (29%) from three-point range. Norfolk State connected on 10-of-13 (77%) from the free throw line.
 
The Lady Bears shot 40.6 (26-of-64) for the game, including 6-of-18 (33%) from beyond the arc. Morgan State shot 11-of-19 from the charity stripe for 58%.
 
Norfolk State outscored Morgan, 48-36 in the paint and 33-11 in fast break points. The Lady Bears held an 18-6 advantage in second chance points and outrebounded the Spartans, 39-35.
 
Morgan State will be off until Saturday, Jan. 25 when it welcomes crosstown rival Coppin State. Tip-off is at 2 p.m. at Hill Field House.
 

FOLLOW MORGAN STATE ATHLETICS IN CYBERSPACE 
There are many ways to keep up with MSU athletics online and on the go:
• Visit www.morganstatebears.com, the official web site of Bear athletics, for news, schedules, stats, bios and more. 
• Follow us on social media:
 Facebook: /MorganStateBears
 Twitter: @MorganStBears
 Instagram: /MorganStateBears

ABOUT MORGAN
Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified high research (R2) institution offering nearly 140 academic programs leading to degrees from the baccalaureate to the doctorate. As Maryland's Preeminent Public Urban Research University, and the only university to have its entire campus designated as a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.