NORFOLK, Va. - Behind a career performance from Diamond Johnson, the Norfolk State women's basketball team secured themselves a spot in the 2024 MEAC Women's Basketball Tournament Final after a 73-44 victory over Coppin State on Saturday.

Johnson's 30-points are the most points any Spartan has scored in a MEAC Women's Basketball Tournament game in school history.

The Newcomer of the Year knocked down a career-high six three-pointers and finished with a double-double after collecting 11 rebounds and three steals.

Kierra Wheeler had a phenomenal game as well finishing with 19 points, six rebounds, three blocks, and three steals. Wheeler and Johnson, members of the MEAC All-Defensive team, collected three of the team's four blocks and six of the 12 steals.

The Spartans went on a 10-0 run in the first quarter for over three and half minutes sparked by a pair of three-pointers by Diamond Johnson. In that span they also caused three Coppin State turnovers, held them to 0-4 shooting, and had two of their shots blocked by Kierra Wheeler.

The Spartans led by as much as 34 points and this 29-point victory is the second largest MEAC Tournament victory under Head Coach Larry Vickers Vickers' largest MEAC Tournament victory was the 31-point win (76-45) against Howard in the 2020 MEAC Tournament quarterfinals the season that the tournament was canceled due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Checking The Box Score

• Diamond Johnson finished with 19 points on 7-of-13 shooting and 3-of-6 from three-point range in the first half
• This is the eighth consecutive game that the Spartans have held an opponent to below 40 percent shooting
• The Spartans caused 18 turnovers and collected 12 steals

News & Notes

• Norfolk State improved to 26-5, 13-1 in the MEAC following the win
• Coppin State dropped to 12-18, 8-6 in the MEAC following the loss 
• The Spartans have beaten the Eagles in four consecutive matchups
• The Spartans own a fourteen game win streak stretching since Jan. 22
• The Spartans will play in the MEAC Championship for the third consecutive year

UP NEXT

The Spartans will play the winner of the No. 2 seed Howard and No. 3 seed North Carolina Central matchup on Saturday at 4 p.m. in the MEAC Women's Basketball Tournament Final.

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