It was a game that was not decided until the final seconds, but in the end, Norfolk State did what was necessary to repeat as Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference champions.
Conference player of the year Kierra Wheeler recorded yet another double-double and scored the go-ahead points as the No. 1 seeded Spartans edged No. 2 Howard 51-46, earning another trip to the NCAA tournament.
Wheeler, who scored 20 points and grabbed 15 rebounds, asserted herself midway through the fourth quarter with Howard leading 41-37. She got post position on one play, spun off of her defender, and scored, then repeated the feat the next possession for another basket. She was fouled with 5:03 to go in the period and made one of two free throws to give the Spartans (27-5) the lead for good.
After a Diamond Johnson three put Norfolk State ahead 45-41, Howard rallied back to within a single point, 47-46, after a Vanessa Blake rebound and layup, with 20 seconds remaining.
Wheeler blocked a shot and Johnson (12 points) split a pair of free throws, giving Howard a chance to tie with 8.6 seconds left. Sa’lah Hemmingway’s tying attempt bounced off the side of the rim, and free throws by Da’Brya Clark and Danaijah Williams sealed the game for the NSU.
Iyanna Warren led Howard (15-16) with 19 points.
Head coach Larry Vickers was complimentary of Howard on ESPN+’s post-game interview, saying “That team has gotten better each game this season. We haven’t had a close game in 2024 and the loss to Howard, they blew us out.”
Norfolk State will now wait to see who they will play in the NCAA tournament on Selection Sunday. With 27 wins and victories against comparable non-conference opponents, the Spartans are hopeful to be seeded above the 16 line.
