Norfolk State still has something to say in the MEAC women’s basketball race.
Sophomore center LeAire Nicks scored 18 points, including a crucial three-point play early in the fourth quarter, to lift the Spartans over host Maryland Eastern Shore 57-51 Thursday night.
The loss, combined with Howard’s 68-51 win at Delaware State, knocked the Fighting Hawks into a second-place tie with the Spartans; both teams have 7-2 conference records while the Bison are 8-1 in MEAC play.
50 seconds into the final period, Nicks grabbed a Da’Brya Clark three-point miss, scored on a layup and was fouled by Kalise Hill. Nicks’ subsequent free throw gave NSU (12-12 overall) the lead for good at 40-38. UMES (14-12 overall) stayed close, pulling within two points (53-51) on a Kaliya Perry jumper in the final minute.
The Hawks missed their final attempts to extend the game while Jasha Clinton (13 points) and Clark added two free throws each to secure the win.
Anjanae Richardson led Norfolk State and all scorers with 19 points. Ashanti Lynch led UMES with 13 points.
