The Norfolk State Lady Spartans won the 2023-24 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Women's Basketball tournament with a 51-46 victory over the Howard Lady Bison.
"Last year when we went, there is a special feeling that you get when you see that NCAA March Madness banner as you approach the arena," Coach Larry Vickers said. "I think we were happy to be there last year. But we now feel that if we rebound the basketball, play defense make some of those shots, we can play with anybody."
Kierra Wheeler had a game-high 20 points and also managed to grab 15 rebounds. Diamond Johnson scored all of her 12 points in the second half for Norfolk State. The Lady Spartans will move on to the NCAA Tournament for the second year in a row with an automatic bid. The NCAA Selection Committee will announce NSU's pairing the tournament Sunday afternoon.
"We pride ourselves on our defense and were able to make stops down the stretch," noted Vickers, the MEAC Coach of the Year and Tournament Outstanding Coach.
"I am disappointed for our players," Howard head coach Ty Grace in the post-game press conference remarked. "We played hard and did the things that we planned to do. We just came up a little short. Norfolk State is a good basketball team. I am proud of this team."
Graduate guard Iyanna Warren scored a team-best 19 points for the Lady Bison, while Kaiya Creek added eight points and six rebounds.
The following is the 2024 MEAC All-Tournament team:
- Kierra Wheeler, Norfolk State
- Iyanna Warren, Howard University
- Laila Lawrence, Coppin State
- Kaiya Creek, Howard University
- Diamond Johnson was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Performer, while her head coach Larry Vickers was named Tournament Most Outstanding Coach.
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