Kierra Wheeler scored 19 points, Diamond Johnson had seven points in the decisive third quarter and top-seeded Norfolk State beat No. 2-seed Howard 68-56 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Championship title game to clinch its third straight trip

Kierra Wheeler led the Spartans with 19 points, adding seven rebounds, six blocks, and four steals, while Diamond Johnson tallied 16 points.

Kierra Wheeler poured in 19 points as the No. 1-seeded Spartans outlasted a pesky second-seeded Howard team 68-56 Saturday afternoon at Norfolk Scope to clinch their third consecutive Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Tournament title and an automatic bid to the big dance. Wheeler was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player.