NORFOLK, Va. – The William & Mary women's basketball team grinded out a 55-44 victory at in-state rival Norfolk State on Friday afternoon in Norfolk. With the win the Tribe improves to 6-4, while Norfolk State falls to 5-7.
 
W&M took its largest lead of the first half as it scored the first seven points of the second quarter. Junior Victoria Reynolds started the scoring with a lay-up, before senior Bianca Boggs knocked down a pair of free throws, and redshirt sophomore Harper Birdsong added a triple to make it 19-9 with 4:55 left in the half.
 
Leading by 10 midway through the fourth quarter, W&M used a 7-2 run to put the game away building its largest lead.  Birdsong sparked the run with a jumper, before Boggs got to the rim for a lay-up. After a Norfolk State basket, freshman Emma Krause drained a right-wing 3-pointer to make it 50-35 with 2:42 left in regulation.
 
The Tribe's defense was strong all afternoon, limiting Norfolk State to just 26.4-percent (14-of-53) from the field and 13-percent (3-of-23) from 3-point range. It was the fourth time this season, W&M has limited its opponent to 50 points or less.
 
W&M Starters  - #2 Boggs, #10 Hodgson, #11 Pollard, #25 Rogers, #30 Reynolds
 
Norfolk State Starters – #1 Russell, #4 Dawkins, #13 Long, #15 Echols, #30 Deas
 
Individual Leaders
Redshirt sophomore Harper Birdsong led the Tribe with a game-high 14 points. She also added a career-high five rebounds, an assist, and a steal. Junior Victoria Reynolds and senior Bianca Boggs both just missed double-doubles. Reynolds had 11 points, nine rebounds, two assists, and three blocks, while Boggs added 10 points eight rebounds, four assists, and four steals.
 
Kendrea Deas was the lone Spartan in double-figures as she finished with 14 points and five rebounds. Dana Echols finished with eight points, four assists, four steals, and three rebounds. 
 
Inside the Numbers
- W&M shot 39.8-percent (19-for-48) from the field in the game.
 
- The Tribe forced Norfolk State into 22 turnovers in the game. It was the fourth time in the last five games W&M has forced its opponents into 20, or more, turnovers.
 
- Rebounds in the game were level at 34 apiece.
 
Notes
Redshirt sophomore Harper Birdsong was in double-figures for the fourth straight game, and the seventh time this season and her career … Senior Bianca Boggs was in double figures for the eighth time this season and the 50th time of her career … The Waldorf, Md. native passed Tiffany Benson '10 for 17th all-time in school history for points, and now has 1,076 career points … Junior Victoria Reynolds rounded out the double-figures scores as she accomplished the feat for the eighth time this season and 27th time of her career … For the fourth time this season, W&M limited its opponent to 50 points, or less … The Tribe is 20-2 under head coach Ed Swanson when accomplishing that feat … W&M now leads the all-time series with Norfolk State 15-8.
 
What's Ahead
The Tribe closes non-conference play as it hosts defending Atlantic 10 Champion George Washington on Saturday, Dec. 29. Tip-off between the Tribe and the Colonials is set for 2 p.m.