Women's Basketball | 3/13/2026 9:17:42 PM

NORFOLK, Va. — The Norfolk State Spartans women's basketball advanced to the championship game of the MEAC Women's Basketball Tournament with a 60–51 semifinal victory over Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks women's basketball on Friday afternoon. 

Norfolk State improved to 18–13 overall, while Maryland Eastern Shore dropped to 19–14. 

Jasha Clinton led the Spartans with 19 points, adding four steals, three assists, two rebounds, and one block. Cire Worley also reached double figures, finishing with 15 points, eight rebounds, three assists, and a steal. 

Maryland Eastern Shore started quickly, taking a 6–2 lead early in the first quarter. Norfolk State responded when Da'Brya Clark knocked down a historic three-pointer, setting the program’s single-season record for most made three-pointers and cutting the deficit to one. The Hawks answered with an 8–0 run to extend their lead to 14–5 with 1:58 left in the quarter. The Spartans closed the period strong, however, as Clark and Clinton each hit a three-pointer to trim the gap to 16–13 heading into the second quarter. 

The teams exchanged baskets early in the second before Worley connected on a three-pointer to pull Norfolk State within 19–18. Moments later, Worley knocked down another three after a pair of free throws, giving the Spartans their first lead of the game at 23–21 with 3:06 remaining in the half. Norfolk State finished the quarter on an 8–2 run to take a 31–25 advantage into halftime. 

Maryland Eastern Shore opened the second half with strong defense, holding the Spartans scoreless for the first four minutes and tying the game before Clinton ended the drought with a three-pointer. Both teams traded baskets over the next several minutes, but Norfolk State closed the third quarter with a 6–0 run, capped by a layup from Carmen Kweti, to take a 42–36 lead into the final period. 

The Spartans pushed their advantage to 10 points early in the fourth quarter after a 6–2 run, highlighted by a Clinton layup. The Hawks cut the deficit to six with back-to-back baskets late in the game, forcing Norfolk State to call a timeout with under a minute remaining. The Spartans sealed the win at the free-throw line, knocking down seven free throws in the closing seconds. 

For Maryland Eastern Shore, Desi Taylor led the team with nine points, while also adding three rebounds, three steals, and one assist. Lainey Allen and Kaliya Perry each contributed eight points. 

Norfolk State will now face No. 1 seed Howard Bison women's basketball in the MEAC championship game for the fifth consecutive season. The Spartans will look to secure their fourth straight NCAA Tournament appearance when the teams meet at 4 p.m. Saturday at Norfolk Scope Arena. 

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