BALTIMORE, Md. (Feb. 26, 2026)--Senior Jael Butler scored a game-high 17 points and grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds to record her first double-double of the season, but it wasn't enough, as Morgan State suffered a hard-fought defeat at the hands of reigning three-time Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) champion Norfolk State, 69-60 on Thursday night at Hill Field House.
 
Norfolk State, which extended its winning streak to five consecutive games, improved to 15-12, 10-2 in the MEAC. Morgan State dropped to 4-24, 3-9 MEAC and suffered its second straight loss and fourth defeat in a row at home.
 
The Lady Bears started Thursday night's contest strong going on an 11-4 run to open the frame, but the Spartans settled in and were able to tie the game 17 a piece at the end of the first quarter. Morgan ended the opening quarter shooting 36.8% from the field making seven of their 19 shots and 1-of-3 attempts from behind the arc. Norfolk shot just slightly better from the field, shooting 38.5% (5-of-13) while making 1-of-5 (20%) three pointers.
 
The Spartans would break the deadlock immediately with back-to-back three-pointers by Niyah Gaston, both assisted by junior guard Anjanae Richardson. The Lady Bears would struggle to take the lid off the basket in the second, scoring just nine points in the quarter and shooting 20% (3-of-15). However, Morgan would cut the deficit in half and end the quarter on a 5-0 run holding NSU scoreless for the final 1:32 to trail 31-26 at the break. Butler led the Lady Bears in scoring with eight points and senior Mihjae Hayes added five points, four assists and three rebounds. Tiyanna James contributed five points, a rebound and two assists.
 
Two offensive rebounds by Norfolk State led to a Da'Brya Clark three-pointer to open the third quarter scoring. Morgan State stayed within six points for the majority of the quarter and evened the score at 34 on a free throw by Jael Butler at the 7:34 mark. Norfolk would again create some separation, ending the third quarter on a 6-0 run to take a 49-43 lead.
 
Morgan remained within striking distance and a jumper by Maya Woodson cut the score to 53-51 with 7:08 to play in the game. A free throw by Hayes would cut the Spartans lead to 63-60 with 2:23 left, but the Lady Bears would run out of gas. Norfolk State would close out the game, scoring the final six points for the win.
 
Kailyn Nash finished with 11 points, five rebounds and a block on the night, while Hayes added eight points, six assists, five rebounds and two steals.
 
Norfolk State was paced by LeAire Nicks, who scored 12 points on 5-of-6 shooting, while Gaston came off the bench to score 12 points on 4-of-6 shooting from behind the arc.  Richardson fell short of a double-double with 11 points and nine assists to go with seven rebounds and two steals. Cire Worley hauled in a team-high nine rebounds and scored eight points.
 
The Lady Bears are back in action on Saturday, February 28 when they face current MEAC leader Howard at Hill Field House at 2 p.m. The Bison (21-7, 11-1 MEAC) defeated Coppin State 75-67 on Thursday night in Washington, D.C. to close out their home slate with an 11-0 record.
 
 
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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.