NORFOLK, Va. (March 11, 2020) – No. 7 Howard University women's basketball team saw its title hopes end in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Quarterfinals after a 45-76 loss against No. 2 Norfolk State (NSU).
 
Howard struggled to find its rhythm, shooting under 32-percent (18-of-57). Senior guard Ayonna Williams (Washington) led the way with 10 points and four assists.
 
Third-year guard Jayla Thornton (Newark, N.J.) gave HU the upper hand early, 5-2, but the Spartans shot 63-percent (10-of-16) in the first period and took a 9-24 advantage after one.
 
NSU put the pressure on after taking a 23-39 halftime advantage, outscoring HU in the third and fourth, 22-37.
 
HU had the slight advantage on the glass, 35-34, led by second-year forward Krislyn Marsh (Duncanville, Texas) grabbing a game-high eight boards.
 
Redshirt junior Jayla Myles (Rochester, N.Y.) provided a spark off the bench, finishing with seven points and five blocks in the loss.
 
NSU (19-11) scored 41 points off HU's 28 turnovers while shooting nearly 52-percent (29-of-56) from the field.
 
Norfolk State's Chanette Hicks, MEAC Player and Defensive Player of the Year, had a game-high 18 points in the victory.
 
With the setback, HU finishes its 2019-20 campaign with a 16-15 overall record.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.