NORFOLK, Va. (Interstat) — Maryland-Eastern Shore held off a Norfolk State rally for a 63-60 women’s basketball victory Thursday night at Echols Hall. The Hawks built a 27-20 halftime lead and extended it to 16 points in the third quarter. The Spartans responded with a 26-point third quarter to close the gap but could not complete the comeback. Dayshawna Carter led Maryland-Eastern Shore with 19 points. Da’Brya Clark scored 18 for Norfolk State, which was hurt by 19 turnovers. Maryland-Eastern Shore improved to 9-10 overall. Norfolk State fell to 6-11.

NORFOLK, Va. (Interstat) — In a game defined by defensive grit and offensive struggle, the Maryland-Eastern Shore women’s basketball team secured a narrow 63-60 victory over Norfolk State on Thursday night at Echols Hall, overcoming a significant third-quarter surge by the Spartans to snap a two-game skid. The Hawks, who led by as many as 12 points in the first half, saw their advantage evaporate completely during a dominant 26-point third quarter by Norfolk State. The Spartans erased a 27-20 halftime deficit and took a 46-45 lead into the final period, setting the stage for a tense, back-and-forth fourth quarter. The most critical sequence of the game unfolded in the final minute. With Maryland-Eastern Shore clinging to a 61-60 lead, Norfolk State’s Da’Brya Clark missed a potential go-ahead three-pointer with just seconds remaining. The Hawks’ Dakieran Turner secured the defensive rebound and was immediately fouled by Clark with four seconds on the clock. Turner missed the first free throw but calmly sank the second to extend the lead to three. Norfolk State’s last-ditch three-point attempt at the buzzer missed, sealing the road win for the Hawks. The contest was a defensive battle from the outset, with both teams struggling to find offensive rhythm. Maryland-Eastern Shore shot just 31.5% from the field and a paltry 14.3% from three-point range. Norfolk State fared slightly better from deep at 27.8% but made only 31.7% of its total field goal attempts. The difference came at the free-throw line, where the Hawks converted 15 of 19 attempts compared to the Spartans’ 17 of 22, and in ball security, as Norfolk State committed 19 turnovers leading to 14 Maryland-Eastern Shore points. Dayshawna Carter led all scorers for the Hawks with 19 points, including two crucial free throws late in the fourth quarter. Ashanti Lynch added 15 points and three assists, while Kalise Hill contributed 11 points. The Hawks’ offense was inefficient, posting an offensive rating of just 79.7 points per 100 possessions, but their defense was equally stifling, holding Norfolk State to a 76.5 offensive rating. Norfolk State was powered by Da’Brya Clark, who scored 18 points and added two assists and a block. Ciara Bailey anchored the Spartans’ interior defense with a formidable six blocks, part of a 10-block team effort. LeAire Nicks provided a key spark off the bench with 10 points in just 13 minutes, all in the second half, fueling the third-quarter comeback. Maryland-Eastern Shore established early control, ending the first quarter with a 16-10 lead and extending it to 27-20 by halftime. The third quarter was a complete reversal, as Norfolk State’s aggressive defense and improved shot-making resulted in a 26-18 period. The Spartans’ run gave them their first lead since the opening minutes, but they could not sustain it in the final frame, where the Hawks outscored them 18-14. With the win, Maryland-Eastern Shore improves to 9-10 overall and evens its Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference record. Norfolk State falls to 6-11. The result defied statistical expectations, as pregame analytics gave the Spartans a 91.9% probability of victory. Maryland-Eastern Shore will look to build momentum when it hosts Howard on Saturday. Norfolk State aims to regroup on the road at Delaware State, also on Saturday.

NORFOLK, Va. (Interstat) — Two teams seeking momentum in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference will meet Thursday when the Norfolk State Spartans host the Maryland-Eastern Shore Hawks in a women’s basketball matchup at Echols Hall. Both teams enter with recent victories. The Hawks (8-10) snapped a three-game skid with a 68-61 home win over Morgan State on Saturday. The Spartans (6-10) opened their conference schedule with a dominant 68-48 road victory at North Carolina Central the same day. The game features a compelling matchup in the frontcourt. Maryland-Eastern Shore is led by forward Ashanti Lynch, who is coming off a 23-point, 8-rebound performance against Morgan State. She has recorded two double-doubles in her last five games, including a 13-point, 14-rebound effort against Bloomfield College on Dec. 20. Norfolk State will counter with guard Jasha Clinton, who scored 21 points with six rebounds and four assists in the win over NCCU. Clinton has been a consistent offensive force, averaging 18.3 points over her last four contests, including a 28-point outing at Campbell on Dec. 15. The Hawks’ victory over Morgan State was a balanced effort, with Kalise Hill adding 13 points and Brianna Barnes contributing 10 points, seven rebounds and two blocks. Norfolk State’s win saw key support from Anjanae Richardson (14 points, seven rebounds) and Ciara Bailey, who anchored the defense with nine rebounds and four blocks. Despite their winning records, both teams have faced struggles against non-conference competition. The Hawks’ win over Morgan State is their only victory since Dec. 20. The Spartans’ win over NCCU halted a three-game losing streak that included road losses to Elon, Ohio State and Campbell. Thursday’s contest is the first of two regular-season meetings between the programs this season. They will meet again in Princess Anne, Md., on Feb. 12. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m. EST at Echols Hall.