NORFOLK, Va. – Freshman guard
Diamond Thomas scored a game-high 24 points and sophomore guard
Taylor Williams bucketed a season-high 15 points to pace the North Carolina Central University women's basketball team in a 71-63 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference road loss at Norfolk State University on Monday evening.
Thomas made six 3-pointers, matching her season-best mark from behind the arc, on the way to her 24 points. Williams reached double digits for the first time this season, shooting 55.6-percent from the field. They both pulled down four rebounds while Williams added three assists and two steals.
The Spartans started the contest on a 10-2 run and maintained held the lead throughout the first quarter. NCCU was trailing 19-15 after 10 minutes of play, but then outscored Norfolk State 21-10 in second stanza to rally for a 36-29 halftime advantage.
Thomas drilled back-to-back 3-pointers in less than a minute span to give the Eagles their first lead of the contest at 23-21. NCCU would make all 11 of its free throw attempts in the second quarter and Williams capped the half with a made jumper in the final minute that sent the maroon and gray into the locker room leading by seven points.
Thomas made a trio of treys in the first half to lead all players at the intermission with 11 points. Williams had six points and two steals by the midway break.
Williams then quickly doubled up her point total to a dozen points by making a 3-pointer and then completing a 3-point play that extended the visitors advantage to 10 points at 47-37.
However, NSU outscored the Eagles by a 19-5 margin for the rest of the third quarter to come back and regain 56-52 lead heading into the fourth quarter. The Spartans maintained control and scored the first 10 points of the last period to extend their lead to 14 points (66-52), which was the largest of the day before closing out the eight-point victory.
With the victory, Norfolk State (14-10 Overall, 9-3) will have a chance to play for a share of the regular season title on Thursday when the Spartans hosts first place Howard University.
Senior guard Camille Downs led the victors with team-high totals of 22 points, 10 rebounds and six steals. It was her second straight double-double and her fourth of the season. Junior guard Deja Francis chipped in 20 points and five assists.
Senior
Ashlyn Lockard, sophomore
Tianna Carter and freshman
Nia Ford all scored five points for the Eagles. Lockard had a team-high six rebounds.
The game featured six lead changes and five ties.
NC Central (4-19, 2-11) will finish up its regular season by hosting South Carolina State University on its Senior Day. The Eagles and Lady Bulldogs will tipoff inside McDougald-McLendon Arena on Thursday at 5:30 p.m.
