HBCU Legends

Norfolk State Wins Third Consecutive MEAC Tournament Championship By Defeating Howard

The Lady Spartans hope to make a deeper run in this year's NCAA Tournament!

Kyle T. Mosley

Norfolk State Lady Spartans Win The 2025 MEAC Tournament Championship
Norfolk State Lady Spartans Win The 2025 MEAC Tournament Championship / ESPN
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Kierra Wheeler scored 7-of-19 points in the fourth quarter to lead Norfolk State (29-4, 15-0) over Howard (21-10, 12-3), 68-56, to claim the 2025 MEAC Women's Basketball Tournament Championship.

Wheeler should be named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player after averaging 20 points per game. She finished the day scoring 19 points, nine rebounds, six blocks, and four steals.

Kierra Wheeler - Most Outstanding Player
Kierra Wheeler - Most Outstanding Player / ESPN

Diamond Johnson contributed 16 points, four rebounds, three steals, and two assists. Makoy Diawara grabbed nine rebounds, and Niya Field dished out seven assists.

Zennia Thomas, a junior forward for Howard, scored 19 points, hitting 9-of-10 free throws and grabbing eight rebounds. Destiny Howell contributed 12 points, along with five assists and two rebounds.

Howard had a three-point advantage, 23-20, over the Spartans after trailing 11-0 at the beginning of the contest.

Coach Larry Vickers
Coach Larry Vickers / ESPN

After coming out of halftime with a 29-26 lead, Norfolk State extended the gap to 45-32 at the end of the third quarter. The Spartans continued to place their foot on the gas, expanding the lead by 20 points, 55-35, with 7:33 remaining in the contest.

Howard moved within 7 points at 58-51 with 2:53 on the clock. However, the Spartans wouldn't allow the Bison to get closer before the final buzzer. Norfolk State won its third-consecutive MEAC Championship.

Coach Larry Vickers and his Lady Spartans will await the NCAA Selection Committee's announcement on their next opponent in the March Madness Tournament.

More MEAC Tourney Coverage

SPARTANS EDGE OUT BULLDOGS TO WIN THE MEAC!

The HBCU "Human Highlight Film," Christian Ings, sank the first of two free throws, giving the Norfolk State a 66-65 lead with 8.9 seconds remaining. He missed the second shot, but the Spartans prevented South Carolina State's Johnson from making a game-winning bucket, giving Norfolk State the 2025 MEAC Men's Basketball Tournament Championship.

Christian Ings
Christian Ings / ESPN

After Ings missed the second free throw, the Bulldogs had a chance. Smith grabbed the rebound and passed the ball to Johnson, who took it over half-court. He attempted a game-winning trey from the elbow, but it hit the back rim, and South Carolina State would lose a dramatic title game.

Norfolk State led 61-51 with 2:00 minutes left in the game until South Carolina State's Dubinsky rattled off 10 straight points, including a layup to tie the contest at 65.

Christian Ings had championship game-highs for the Spartans with 16 points, seven rebounds, and four assists. Brian Moore contributed 15 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and two steals in the victory.

Norfolk State Celebrates
Norfolk State Celebrates / ESPN

Dubinsky led all scorers with 24 points, as he went 8-of-11 from the field and 5-for-5 for beyond the arc. Omar Croskey added 10 points, three rebounds, and two steals for the Bulldogs.

Norfolk State, with 24 wins this season, will make their fourth NCAA Tournament appearance by securing the MEAC's automatic bid. The selection committee will announce their opponent on Sunday, Mar. 16.

KEY POINTS

  • 7 points
  • 5 lead changes
  • Field Goal %: SCS - 37%; NSU - 42%
  • 3- Pts Shots: SCS (10-27); NSU (3-9)
  • 2nd Chance Pts: SCS (5); NSU (13)
  • Paints Points: SCS (20); NSU (30)

Norfolk State trailed 34-25 at halftime. The Spartans outscored the Bulldogs, 41-31 in the second half to win by one point.

The Bulldogs' largest lead was 11 points at 34-23. The Spartans' largest lead was at 61-51 with 2:00 minutes left in the game.

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Kyle T. Mosley
KYLE T. MOSLEY

I am Kyle T. Mosley, the Founder, Managing Editor, and Chief Reporter for the HBCU Legends, Saints News Network, and Pelicans Scoop on FanNation a Sports Illustrated team channel since October 2019.  Morehouse Alum, McDonogh #35 Roneagles (NOLA), Drum Major of the Tenacious Four.  My Father, Mother, Grandmother, Aunts and Uncles were HBCU graduates! Host of "Blow the Whistle" HBCU Legends, "The Quad" with Coach Steward, and "Bayou Blitz" Podcasts. Radio/Media Appearances:  WWL AM/FM Radio in New Orleans (Mike Detillier/Bobby Hebert),  KCOH AM 1230 in Houston (Ralph Cooper), WBOK AM in New Orleans (Reggie Flood/Ro Brown), and 103.7FM "The Game" (Jordy Hultberg/Clint Domingue), College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt), Jeff Lightsly Show, and Offscript TV on YouTube. Television Appearance: Fox26 in Houston on The Isiah Carey Factor, College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt). My Notable Interviews:  Byron Allen (Media Mogul), Deion Sanders (Jackson State University, Head Coach), Tomekia Reed (Jackson State Lady Tigers Basketball Coach), Taylor Rooks (NBA Reporter), Swin Cash (VP of Basketball - New Orlean Pelicans), Demario and Tamala Davis (NFL Player), Jerry Rice (Hall of Famer), Doug Williams (HBCU & NFL Legend), Emmitt Smith (Hall of Famer), James "Shack" Harris (HBCU & NFL Legend), Cris Carter (Hall of Famer), Solomon Wilcots (SiriusXM NFL Host), Steve Wyche (NFL Network), Jim Trotter (NFL Network), Travis Williams (Founder of HBCU All-Stars, LLC), Malcolm Jenkins (NFL Player), Cam Jordan (NFL), Demario Davis (NFL), Allan Houston (NBA All-Star), Drew Brees (Former NFL QB), Deuce McAllister (Former NFL RB), Willie Roaf (NFL Hall of Fame), Jim Everett (Former NFL Player), Quinn Early (Former NFL Player), Dr. Reef (NFL Players' Trainer Specialist), Nataria Holloway (VP of the NFL). I am building a new team of journalists, podcasters, videographers, and interns.  For media requests, interviews, or interest in joining HBCU Legends, please contact me at kmosley@hbcusi.com. Follow me:

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