In their final game of the 2024 calendar year, the Norfolk State Spartans women end on a high note, securing a 63-57 win over Auburn.
This marks the Spartans’ second win of the season against an SEC opponent, having previously beaten Missouri in November.
Diamond Johnson paced Norfolk State with 17 points, 10 rebounds (season-high), and four steals. Da’Brya Clark followed closely behind with 15 points and five rebounds.
Norfolk State was in control throughout this contest, leading for 90% of the game and only trailing for nine seconds.
The Spartans dominated the boards, outrebounding Auburn 42-33 and having a 21-14 advantage on the offensive glass.
They got out to a fast start thanks to Johnson and Clark, who combined for 13 of the team’s 17 points in the first quarter.
Leading by seven at the end of the first, the Spartans’ momentum continued in the second. They built a 10-point lead halfway through the period and went into halftime with a 31-24 lead.
Another one vs the SEC🔰#GoldStandard🔰 pic.twitter.com/9Sl64gAofl
— Norfolk State Women’s Basketball (@NorfolkStateWBB) December 29, 2024
After a scoreless second quarter, Johnson picked things up in the third quarter, scoring nine points, two points shy of Auburn’s point total in the period (11).
Johnson’s efforts helped the Spartans take their largest lead of the game in the fourth quarter, 52-35.
However, Auburn then began making a comeback, going on a 10-0 run over the next two minutes to trim the deficit to seven points.
While Auburn would get the margin down to as low as three points, Norfolk State kept its composure, closing the win after forcing two turnovers in the final minute.
With the win, Norfolk State improves to 12-4 on the season, including five wins in its last six contests.
The Spartans will return to the court for the first time in the new year on January 4 when they open their conference schedule at home against Maryland-Eastern Shore.
