Norfolk State Women Soar Past Coppin to get to the MEAC Finals

 

Norfolk State MEAC women's basketball player of the year Diamond Johnson (3) dribbling while Coppin State's Niyah Gaston (20). Photo Credit: Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference

By Wole Akinso
(@Wole_USS)

Norfolk, VA— In the semifinals of the women’s MEAC basketball tournament, one-seeded Norfolk State cruised by Coppin State, 73-44 to advance the MEAC finals.

The team was led by Diamond Johnson, who scored 30 points and grabbed 11 rebounds.  She was aggressive shooting step-back jumpers, three-pointers, and floaters.  Johnson said her mindset was to “just play hard.”  She added that “we had played them twice during the early season and both games were close. So we had to come out and show that the tournament is a different level.”

Last year’s MEAC tournament most outstanding performer, Kierra “Mimi” Wheeler pitched in with 19 points.  She was also a force on defense.  She had three blocks in the game and helped limit Coppin State forward and first team All-MEAC performer Laila Lawrence to nine points.  Lawrence scored 17 points against the University of Maryland Eastern Shore in the quarterfinals.   Norfolk State Coach Larry Vickers talked about Wheeler’s defensive effort on Lawrence. 

“Mimi did a tremendous job today.  It’s good to see, especially as a forward, you see two really good forwards, battle it out. I know she came in locked in.  Mimi came in locked in today.  Our forward got the better of them.”

Norfolk State will wait it out to see who they’ll play Saturday at 4 pm ET in the MEAC Finals.  It will either be a rematch of last year’s MEAC finals with Howard University or a tough North Carolina Central University team.