Women's Basketball | 3/15/2025 8:28:11 PM

NORFOLK, VA – Kierra Wheeler led three Norfolk State players in double figures with 19 points and eight rebounds, propelling the top-seeded Spartans to a 68-56 victory over No. 2 seed Howard in the finals of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Women’s Basketball Tournament on Saturday at the Norfolk Scope Arena. 

Diamond Johnson added 16 points, while Da’Brya Clark contributed 10 points for Norfolk State, which improved to 30-4 on the season. The Spartans clinched their third consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament, set to begin on Thursday.  

Head coach Larry Vickers and his team will learn their first-round opponent during Sunday’s selection show at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN. 

Norfolk State led 20-14 at the end of the first quarter, but Howard responded with a 10-0 run to take a 23-20 advantage with 5:27 remaining in the second quarter. Clark halted the Bison’s momentum with two free throws at the 4:30 mark, helping the Spartans reclaim a 29-26 lead at halftime. Wheeler and Johnson paced NSU in the first half with eight and seven points, respectively. 

The Spartans dominated the third quarter, outscoring Howard 16-6. Wheeler led the charge with nine points, giving NSU a commanding 45-32 lead heading into the final period. Their largest lead came with 5:48 remaining when Clark drilled a three-pointer to extend the advantage to 58-42. 

Howard cut the deficit to seven, 58-51, following two free throws by Zennia Thomas with 2:55 left, but Norfolk State held firm to secure the championship. 

Thomas led the Bison with 19 points and eight rebounds, while Destiny Howell added 12 points, five assists and eight turnovers. Howard finished the season with a 21-11 record. 

Vickers expressed his excitement about returning to the NCAA Tournament and emphasized the importance of limiting mistakes on the national stage. 

“We have been in this position before, and we have faced strong competition throughout the season,” Vickers said. “This time, we need to avoid costly mistakes that could make it difficult to win. Against Howard, we allowed them to start fast in all three matchups before making second-half adjustments. Our veterans, including Diamond (Johnson) and Kierra (Wheeler), played a crucial role in securing this championship. We expect to be champions.” 

During the regular season, Norfolk State secured road victories over Auburn and Missouri while also competing closely with Alabama. 

Howard head coach Ty Grace, in her ninth season, praised Norfolk State’s performance and acknowledged the contributions of Howard freshman and MEAC Rookie of the Year, Saniyah King. 

“First, I want to give credit to Norfolk State. Coach Vickers has done a phenomenal job with his teams over the years,” Grace said. “I have to admit, I’m tired of coming so close in this tournament.” 

Norfolk State and Howard have now met in the MEAC finals four consecutive times, with the Bison claiming just one title in 2022. 

“I also want to highlight Saniyah King,” Grace added. “She is one of the best point guards I’ve seen in this league during my nine years at Howard. She had a tough couple of games here, but she will bounce back.” 

2025 Women’s Basketball All-Tournament team  

Tournament Outstanding Player - Kierra Wheeler, Norfolk State   
Tournament Outstanding Coach - Larry Vickers, Norfolk State  

Kierra Wheeler, Norfolk State 
Diamond Johnson, Norfolk State  
Destiny Howell, Howard 
Zennia Thomas, Howard 
Laila Lawrence, Coppin State