NORFOLK, Va. (March 7, 2024) – Junior forward Vanessa Blake (Summerville, S.C.) just missed a double-double and redshirt freshman guard Tyana Walker (Leawood, Kan.) scored 11 points, but it was not enough as the Howard University women's basketball team fell, 59-53, at Norfolk State (NSU) in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) clash inside Joseph G. Echols Hall.
 
The game was all that it was billed. The Bison (13-15, 10-4 MEAC) came in riding a five-game win streak and the secured No. 2 seed in the upcoming MEAC Tournament while the Spartans (24-5, 13-1 MEAC) are one of the hottest teams in Division I basketball, riding an 11-game win streak coming into the game with nine of their last victories by double digits. The Spartans' only loss in conference play came at the hands of Howard (Jan. 20).
 
The two battled early and set the tone, but Howard was able to take a 14-13 advantage at the end of the first quarter.
 
The Spartans threatened to pull away, courtesy of a 17-5 blitz in the second quarter and took a 30-19 lead to the locker room. But this Howard team, which has faced adversity all season, showed why they will again be a factor in the next week's tournament.
 
Using the scoring of Blake, Walker and senior forward Kaiya Creek (Seat Pleasant, Md.), Howard used an 18-12 third quarter run to cut the deficit to seven, 43-36, heading into the fourth quarter.
 
From there, the two battled back and forth until Howard got to within three twice on some clutch free throw shooting by fifth-year guard Iyanna Warren (Accokeek, Md.). But the defending champs connected on two of three free throws in the last 30 seconds to come away with the hard-fought battle.
 
Blake had one of her best games of the season with the 13 points and nine rebounds. Walker finished with 11 points while Creek, who continues to play well, scored nine points.
 
Warren scored eight points, grabbed five rebounds and handed out six assists while turning the ball over once during 38 minutes of play.
 
Sophomore forward Nile Miller (Haddonfield, N.J.) grabbed eight rebounds.
 
The Spartans were led by junior forward Kierra Wheeler, who led all scorers with 14 points but she was held to only four rebounds, six below her conference-leading average. Anjanae Richardson had 11 points and Danaijah Williams tallied 10 points in the win.
 
In the statistics battle: Norfolk State bench outscored the visitors, 31-19, and got nine of its 16 fourth quarter from the charity stripe. The Bison dominated the boards, 42-25.
 
It was the regular season finale for both teams.
 
NEXT UP: Howard will be the No. 2 seed entering tourney play, which begins March 13 in Norfolk, Va.
 
For more information, visit the official Howard Athletics website at www.hubison.com.