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Norfolk State entered Saturday’s match against Maryland in Women’s NCAA Tournament as a considerable underdogs. But the Spartans pushed therapies well into the fourth quarter before they lost 82-69.
The game in the first round began with a surprising start, and Norfolk State scored the first seven points. The historic black university located in Virginia also entered the locker room with a 32-30 lead at halftime.
Underdog Spartans laged behind only four points at the beginning of the fourth quarter.
Despite the loss to MarylandLongtime State coach Norfolk Larry Vickers said his team showed that he deserved better.
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State Coach Norfolk Larry Vickers during the second half against Maryland in the first round of the NCAA tournament on Saturday, March 2, 2025, in College Park, MD. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
“This group won 30 games this year, 27 games last year, 26 games a year before, and we still go into these things, we have to respect the three people upstairs,” said Norfolk State coach. “I will not complain about the service. That is not what I will do. But when you all see these Spartan heads in your gym, I think we should get a little more respect than we get.”
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Maryland had a strong third quarter, making all 12 of his free throws.
“I’m not saying we weren’t wrong because it was a big moment. We probably broke. I have to watch the movie,” he said. “But you can’t send teams to the free throw line – especially as good shooters like them.”
Norfolk State Guard Diamond Johnson (3) shoots over Maryland Sarah Teas (1) during the first half of the first round of the NCAA tournament in the College Park, md. On Saturday, March 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
To play, Norfolk State whistled for 21 offenses to Maryland 12, and Terps went 23 out of 25 from the line. It was a significant factor, although Vickers suggested that his team deserved a part of the guilt.
Playing a ball with Logotype March Madness during the first round of 2025. The NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Pete Maravich Mount March 22, 2025 in Baton Rouge. (Beau Brune/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
“I’m not saying that the clerk lost that game,” he said. “We are fauling. And we faulted. And we failed. And we failed. And we failed jumping shooters, and we failed a little more jumping shooters.”
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Vickers also praised the guardian of Diamond Johnson, who scored 18 points on Saturday and pushed against her perceived fall Wnba draft stock.
“I watched her go from the seventh in the first round, when she reached me, she lowered herself and dropped and dropped and dropped, and I don’t know why,” Vickers said. “She has to be on every list of Mid-Major finalists, every list of finalists of the winner of the Dawn Award winner, every finalist list Nancy Lieberman. It’s great special.”
Vickers, who spent the last nine seasons in Norfolk, asked about his coaching future after all the success he achieved at school. He didn’t offer much insight on that.
“We all have visions and goals,” he said. “I don’t know. I don’t know. We’ll see.”
Associated Press contributed to this report.
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