NSU Women Win MEAC Championship At Scope; Howard Men Defeat Delaware State For MEAC Title

By Randy Singleton
Community Affairs Correspondent
New Journal and Guide
NORFOLK

The Norfolk State Lady Spartans withstood a fierce rally by Howard to win the game, 51-46, and claim the 2024 MEAC championship and a trip to the NCAA tournament while playing literally in their backyard at the Norfolk Scope arena on Saturday, March 16, 2024.

NSU made some clutch shots in the last few minutes of the game to secure their second consecutive MEAC title.  Diamond Johnson was named the tournament’s MVP. Johnson scored 12 points.  NSU was paced by Kierra Wheeler who had a game-high 20 points. NSU coach Larry Vickers was named the tournament’s Most-Valuable-Coach.

“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.

This years championship game marked the fourth time that the two have met in the tournament finals, snd is a carbon copy of last year’s championship match-up.

Howard Men Get Second Consecutive Title

In the men’s championship game, Howard won their second consecutive MEAC title with a 70-67 victory over a scrappy Delaware State. Howard ended Norfolk State’s tourney run with a 80-74 victory over the home-town Spartans on Friday night (March 15).

HU’s Jordan Hairston paced the Bison with 18 points and was named the championship game’s MVP. Seth Towns and Bryce Harris each chipped in 16 points in the title game. The Howard Bison punched their ticket to the NCAA tournament with the win over Delaware State.

Delaware Coach Stan Waterman praised his team’s effort and noted the experience of Howard, which he said was key in the outcome of the contest.

“A huge factor was the experience of Howard,” Waterman said. “They have been here before. My hats off to Coach Blakeney and his team and we wish them well in the NCAA playoffs.”