Norfolk State went into the matchup of Saturday against Maryland in the Ladies NCAA Tournament as considerable underdogs. But the Spartans pushed the Terrapins far into the fourth quarter before they lost 82-69.
The first round game started a surprising start with Norfolk State that scored the first seven points of the game. The historic Black University in Virginia also entered the dressing room with a 32-30 lead during the break.
The Underdog Spartans walked early in the fourth quarter with just four points.
Despite losing to MarylandLung time Norfolk State head coach Larry Vickers said his team showed that it deserved better.
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Norfolk State head coach Larry Vickers in the second half against Maryland in the first round of the NCAA tournament Saturday 22 March 2025 in College Park, MD. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
“This group won 30 games this year, 27 games last year, 26 games the year before, and we are still in these things to get respect from the three people on the floor,” said the coach of the state of Norfolk. “I’m not going to complain about officializing. That’s not what I’m going to do. But if 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 and made all 12 of his free throws.
“I am not saying that we are not wrong because it was a big moment. We were probably polluting. I have to watch the movie,” he said. “But you can’t send teams to the free throw line – especially as good shooters as they were.”
Norfolk State Guard Diamond Johnson (3) shoots over Maryland Guard Sarah Te-Biasu (1) during the first half of the first round of the NCAA tournament in College Park, MD. Saturday, March 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Before the competition, Norfolk State was whistled for 21 errors to the 12 of Maryland, and the Terps went 23 of 25 out of the line. That was an important factor, although Vickers suggested that his team earned part of the debt.
A game ball with the March Madness logo during the first round of the NCAA basketball tournament of 2025 in Pete Maravich Assembly Center 22 March 2025 in Baton Rouge. (Beau Brune/NCAA photos via Getty images)
“I am not saying that the official has lost that match,” he said. “We polluted. And we polluted. And we polluted. And we polluted. And we have polluted jumpers and we still have Jump Shooters a little polluting.”
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Vickers also praised guard Diamond Johnson, who scored 18 points on Saturday, and pushed back against her fallen fallen fallen WNBA -Concept stock.
“I saw her go from seventh in the first round, when she arrived at me, and drop and drop and drop, and I don’t know why,” said Vickers. “She has to be on every finalist of the Middle Major finalist, every finalist list of Dawn Staley Award, Elke Nancy Lieberman Finalist list. She is super special.”
Vickers, who spent the past nine seasons in the state of Norfolk, was asked about his coaching -future after all the success he has achieved at the school. He did not offer much insight on that.
“We all have visions and goals,” he said. ‘Don’t know. Don’t know. We’ll see. “
The Associated Press has contributed to this report.
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