HBCU notebook: How trust carries Grambling State’s Monica Marsh and Shaniah Nunn

Neither landed with the Tigers unchallenged.

Marsh rebuilt confidence after learning a system that didn’t fit. Nunn learned to silence self-doubt by outworking it. Transfers, resets and second chances became checkpoints rather than setbacks.

They found their paths to Grambling State — affectionately referred to as Exit 81 — separately and met only this season.

Still, they speak the same basketball language.

Trust doesn’t announce itself in celebrations or social media posts. It shows up in the small decisions. Marsh shoots, knowing someone is crashing behind her. Nunn rebounds, confident the next pass will come back clean. It’s a compact built on repetition, not conversation. Over time, those choices accumulate.

“If I miss, she’ll get it,” Marsh told The IX Basketball about Nunn. “If she’s down there and I hit her, she’ll finish. Her competitive nature and mindset to win align with mine. I feel like both of us want to go out there and give our all, not knowing if we’ll be able to play another game and playing like it’s our last.”

That’s what endures between them. It’s less about how long they’ve known each other, and more about how consistently they show up — again and again. When the musical excitement of GSU’s World Famed Tiger Marching Band and the World Famed Tigerettes fades, and only the work remains, their focus shifts from perfection to progress. They are satisfied if each day ends one percent better than it began.

The results are clear. Both rank among the top 10 scorers in the Southwestern Athletic Conference: Nunn is seventh at 11.8 points per game, and Marsh is eighth at 11.3. Nunn, who leads the SWAC with six double-doubles, also leads the conference in rebounding at 7.8 per game. Nunn has earned SWAC Impact Player of the Week twice, on Dec. 17 and Jan. 6 this season.

Those numbers, though, only tell part of their story.

“She plays so hard even though she’s very small compared to players in the SWAC,” Nunn told The IX Basketball of Marsh. “That just doesn’t stop her from trying to get to the goal or going to rebound, whether or not she gets it. She gives effort. She’s a shooter. I love me a shooter. I love somebody who can shoot, knowing 100% it’s going in, or if not, I can go rebound. I love reboundable shots. That’s why I love playing with Mo.”

Marsh is happy and feels at home now, but her circuitous path to Grambling State was shaped by patience, conviction and the right set of eyes at the right time. She first spent a season at George Washington. Then, when the transfer portal didn’t offer the right fit, she took a chance on herself by pivoting to Trinity Valley Community College after averaging 1.7 points in 15 games for the Revolutionaries.

---

The IX Soccer is here!

In case you missed it, The IX Sports introduced a new women’s soccer-specific vertical called The IX Soccer!

Just like The IX Basketball, this will be your destination for 24/7 women’s soccer coverage, including exclusive interviews, behind-the-scenes looks at your favorite teams and leagues, as well as news from around the world.

Follow the link below and bookmark the page to stay up to date on the latest headlines in women’s soccer.

---

The decision proved transformative.

At Trinity Valley, Marsh rediscovered both her confidence and her joy. She averaged 15.4 points per game and earned NJCAA second-team All-America honors, reestablishing herself as the player she believed she could be.

Enter third-year Grambling State head coach Courtney Simmons, who was familiar with Trinity Valley. As an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Trinity Valley, Simmons was part of 72 victories, including a 2012 NJCAA national title. She knew the type of talent that was there.

It’s always a recruiting stop for her, and that’s where she saw Marsh reclaiming her explosiveness, elusiveness and edge.

Yet, for all of Marsh’s scoring prowess, something else caught Simmons’ attention when watching her play against another elite player in a game who had scored plenty of points in the first half.

“And in the second half, that kid couldn’t touch the ball,” Simmons recalled. “I’m like, why is this kid not even trying, and then I am like, ‘Who is this little kid that’s guarding her?’ So, I pull up the roster, and I’m like, Monica Marsh, she’s so tiny. I watched that tiny, but mighty little girl shut that kid down in the second half and score like 19 or 20 points herself in the second half. I’m like, ‘That’s my kid.’”

Marsh quickly recognized what would follow.

“She offered me, and off the bat, we had a great relationship,” Marsh recalled. “That was something I was really looking for, more of a relationship kind of thing, whenever I was choosing my next school. Reflecting back, I tell everybody this all the time, I would do everything the same exact way. It was all lessons learned and blessings. Those trials and tribulations got me to where I am today.”

Thanks to her dad and shooting coaches, Marsh grew up studying players who thrived without permission. Her shooting range and movement echo Stephen Curry. The playmaking patience resembles Kyrie Irving. The fearlessness, especially at 5-foot-5, carries shades of Allen Iverson, attacking bigger bodies without hesitation. These were her influences.

Like age, size is just a number. It never dictated her play; it demanded sharpness, quickness and decisiveness, turning limitation into an advantage.

“I’ve never seen height as something not to be proud of,” Marsh said. “I always find the silver lining in it. People can’t get as low as I can. On defense, people aren’t as quick as I am or as quick with their hands. Being small has its pros and cons.

“When I was growing up, my dad always instilled a lot of heart in me. He told me, ‘It doesn’t matter how tall, big, strong or old you are. Go out there and play like it’s your last game. Give it your all.’ If I drive and they block my shot, it’s still our ball. If I drive and make it, that’s two points. That’s how I think about everything in life.”

If Marsh’s confidence was rebuilt through detours, Nunn’s toughness had earlier roots. Their journeys started in different ways, but both developed resilience that defines them now.

Long before rebounding became a statistic, it was survival. It started outside, in the dirt, where games didn’t stop for scraped knees or uneven ground. Nunn played with her cousins, often the only girl and always willing to mix it up. Playing baseball also sharpened her instincts.

What shows up now on the stat sheet began years ago. She chased balls through dust and grass and learned early that nothing comes clean and nothing is given.

“I think my scoring honestly comes from my rebounding,” Nunn shared. “Growing up, my family always wondered why I was always around boys. I liked being pushed around and playing in the dirt.”

The games didn’t always end outside. Nunn would come in dirty from the yard or from running bases and try to settle onto her grandmother’s couch. It never worked. Before she could sit, there were hands to wash and clothes to straighten. No exceptions. Order came before rest.

Years later, that lesson still shows up on the court. Finish the play. Take care of the details. Then live with the result. Other lessons came from home as well. Nunn’s mother, who played basketball, prepared her for the harder moments.

“Grandmoms,” Nunn said with a smile. “They don’t play about their furniture. My mom always taught me that adversity comes with everything you do. No matter how well things are going, you have to expect that when things go downhill, you don’t stop. You just keep a straight mind and believe you can do it.”

Nunn played two seasons at Troy under Simmons before transferring to Grambling State ahead of last season. There, she started 12 of her 18 games, averaging 5.9 points and 4.0 rebounds in 19.1 minutes — a foundation for the improvement seen this season.

---

Listen now to The IX Sports Podcast and Women’s Sports Daily

We are excited to announce the launch of TWO new podcasts for all the women’s sports fans out there looking for a daily dose of women’s sports news and analysis. Stream on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or anywhere you listen to podcasts, and make sure to subscribe!

---

Even with seven consecutive double-digit scoring games, Nunn’s biggest victory is in the classroom, where she is one of 11 Tiger players with a 3.0-or-higher grade point average. Overall, Grambling State’s team GPA is 3.51 according to Simmons.

“It was me versus me,” Nunn said. “I had to keep going and take it one play at a time. If I harp on my mistakes, it takes my whole game away. I just keep going, rebounding, scoring, and doing whatever it takes.”

That included during a 67-60 road win against Bethune-Cookman, where Nunn answered Simmons’ challenge emphatically. She had seven rebounds at intermission. She had the same amount after three quarters. Simmons pulled Nunn aside and provided a directive. After suffering a bloodied lip and swallowing blood, Nunn grabbed five of her 12 rebounds and scored eight of her 20 points in the fourth quarter.

It was the type of performance that Simmons had been waiting to see.

“I am constantly in her ear to tell her all the good things that she is doing while also being a realist and telling her when she’s not taking care of business and not doing her job,” Simmons said. “We forged a relationship that some people may not understand because I’m extremely hard on that kid, but so will the real world be in a couple months. It’s going to be extremely hard and unforgiving, so if she’s equipped to be mentally tough now, then I think she can handle anything that the world throws at her.”

That mindset has guided both players through their journeys and into partnership. Their futures are still unfolding.

A general studies major, Nunn hopes to enter coaching, where she can mentor high school athletes. She also stands to become the first in her family to earn a college degree.

Marsh, a marketing major, plans to own her own business and work in real estate after basketball. She has watched Selling Sunset, Selling Tampa, and Selling Manhattan, plotting and dreaming. Inspiration is also a FaceTime call away. Her mother owned a mortgage company before the 2008 recession.

Their journey included many detours. Now, Marsh and Nunn are thriving. Long after the selfies, high-fives, pats on the back, and hugs, the work remains. They are built for it and focused on helping Grambling State reach its goal.

Marsh reflected on the road she’s traveled.

“I’m proud of how far I’ve come,” Marsh said. “I’ve dealt with mental health challenges and being unhappy in certain environments. Getting through that and finding the happiness I have now matters. I’m a different person than I was a year ago. I’m proud of changing for the better.”

Alabama A&M’s defense comes through

Under second-year head coach Dawn Thornton, one of Alabama A&M’s team mantras has been “Big Energy.” It’s displayed in the way they swarm to the ball, step into passing lanes and play with Bulldog tenacity on defense.

Their postgame locker room celebrations, splashed across social media, feel like part party, part revival. It’s joy with a purpose. It’s been the secret sauce.

Since the Bulldogs dropped their SWAC opener 74-72 in overtime to Mississippi Valley State on Jan. 1, the motto most likely changed to “Big Mad” or “You Think You Gonna Score” because the Bulldogs have been locked in. The response has been emphatic.

In three crisply executed victories since that setback, Alabama A&M has suffocated opponents, holding them to 33.5 percent shooting and just 47.3 points per game against Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Jackson State and Alcorn State. The Bulldogs’ average margin of victory over that stretch is 25 points, and they’ve posted a plus-40 rebounding advantage.

“Losing to Mississippi Valley was an eye-opener for us,” Thornton told The IX Basketball. “I’ll take responsibility for that loss. We didn’t play a game after the Christmas break. I wanted to try something different to see if we could rest them going into conference (play).”

At 3-1 in league play, Alabama A&M sits among three SWAC teams with just one loss. The Bulldogs travel to rival Alabama State on Monday afternoon for the annual Bridge Builders Classic.

The Bulldogs’ production has come from everywhere.

---

Want more women’s hockey content? Subscribe to The Ice Garden!

In case you missed it, The Ice Garden is now part of The IX Sports family!

The staff of The Ice Garden has paved the way for women’s hockey coverage from the college ranks to international competitions. Of course, that includes in-depth coverage of the PWHL too. For a limited time, free signups at The Ice Garden can sample all the work they do. Check it out, sign up now!

---

Kaila Walker has been steady at the controls, leading the Bulldogs in scoring at 12.7 points per game, which is fifth in the SWAC. Moses Davenport has been a handful inside, averaging 10.9 points and 5.7 rebounds while continuing to find her rhythm after missing last season with a shoulder injury.

Jaida Belton is finding her groove, posting double-doubles in two of the Bulldogs’ last three games. She earned SWAC Impact Player of the Week honors after a 13-point, 17-rebound performance against Arkansas-Pine Bluff — one board shy of her career high. Belton leads AAMU in rebounding at 7.0 per game, ranking third in the conference.

Rakiyah Beal has elevated her scoring in conference play, averaging 11.8 points over four games. She’s been as reliable as money in a bank vault.

“She’s just the glue that brings everybody together,” Thornton said. “When you need a shot, you know Rakiyah is going to hit it, and that’s really important.”

Coriah Beck recently reached the 1,000-point milestone and continues to round into form after returning from a torn Achilles.

The Bulldogs are still assembling the full picture while learning Thornton’s defensive system, but even with the early stumble, their preseason goals remain well within reach. Thornton believes she has a balanced, deep roster that defends collectively, rebounds in waves and features multiple scoring options.

“I just want us to continue to buy in defensively,” Thornton said. “Truly understanding what that looks like. If we’re going to do what we need to do in conference, we’ve got to be able to hold teams under their average. We’re playing really well right now, but these next three games are really important to us.”

Hill fueling UMES’ historic MEAC start

Kalise Hill has taken the meaning of new year, new me literally.

After a scoreless outing in her last game of 2025 in a loss to Fairleigh-Dickinson, the 5’6 Hill, a sophomore guard, has been a steady force and a major reason why Maryland Eastern Shore is off to a 4-0 start in MEAC play for the first time since the 1998-99 season, holding the best record in the league. Hill has scored in double figures in three of the Hawks’ four MEAC contests.

Her fearless play as point guard and 11 points in each game helped UMES snap nine-game losing streaks to Norfolk State and Howard. In addition, the Hawks also ended Norfolk State’s impressive 32-game conference winning streak.

In the victory over preseason favorite Howard on Jan. 10, Hill sparkled in the fourth quarter, especially after the Hawks fell behind 47-38. Hill scored six points and had a steal and a rebound that fueled the Hawks’ comeback victory. In UMES’ 68-61 overtime triumph against Coppin State on Jan. 15, Hill had both assists on Desi Taylor’s game-tying 3-pointers with 1:44 remaining and 28 seconds left in regulation.

Second-year UMES head coach Malikah Willis was already familiar with Hill, who transferred into the program after spending a year at Morehead State. Willis had relationships with coaches in Atlanta who knew Hill from her time working at Georgia Tech and Kennesaw State.

“We wanted to be really selective, and not just get somebody in here that was going to overshoot or things like that,” Willis said to reporters during the MEAC’s bi-weekly coaches’ call. “We needed players that could get the ball up the floor and make the right decisions. Then, not worry about shooting first.

“I saw that on her film from her at Morehead State. So that was something that really stood out to us because we were trying to be specific about breaking pressure in this conference and making the right decisions with the ball in the full court. We got lucky with her, for sure.”

---

Want even more women’s sports in your inbox?

Subscribe now to The IX Sports and receive our daily women’s sports newsletter covering soccer, tennis, basketball, golf, hockey and gymnastics from our incredible team of writers. That includes Basketball Wednesday from founder and editor Howard Megdal.

Readers of The IX Basketball now save 50% on their subscription to The IX.

---

Hill has been a perfect fit for the Hawks. She leads the team in assists (47) and is second in steals (36).

A McDonald’s All-American nominee at McEachern High School, Hill averaged 3.3 points in 27 games while playing 13.3 minutes per contest during her lone season at Morehead State. Hill dished out 30 assists, recorded 17 steals and scored a season-high 14 points against Tennessee Tech.

She’s soaring now, just like the rest of her teammates. The wins over Norfolk State and Howard were proof that the hard lessons during non-conference season yielded positive results. The Hawks lost a pair of tough home games to La Salle and Towson after leading by double digits early, in part because they struggled to finish.

Hill changed that. With Ashanti Lynch and Brianna Barnes doing much of the heavy lifting, ranking eighth and 10th in the MEAC, respectively, in scoring, Hill is thrilled with her role.

“She doesn’t mind playing the back,” Willis said. “She knows she’s going to be out there a majority of the game. Her scoring really was about Ashanti or Brianna getting so much attention on their drives, and then they would kick it out to her, and then she would just knock it down or one dribble and float it up there, things like that. Her patience out there on offense and waiting for that ball to come back to her is what is making her successful right now.”

With 10 conference tests remaining, beginning with a road trip this week to North Carolina Central (Thursday) and South Carolina State (Saturday), Hill will be prepared to help the Hawks continue their enchanted campaign.

Thanks to Hill, the Hawks are now the target in the MEAC.

Norfolk State’s defense doesn’t rest

There’s no magic formula for why Jasha Clinton ranks among the national leaders in steals.

“I do not think when I play basketball,” Clinton told The IX Basketball. “I just be out there playing. I promise you. So for me, if I see the ball, then I just go get it. There’s not too much to it. I’m not even going to lie.”

Simplicity at its best.

Clinton, who joined Norfolk State at the start of the season after transferring from Hampton, has been a defensive menace, averaging 3.5 steals per game to lead the MEAC. She isn’t the only Spartan with sticky fingers. Junior guards Da’Brya Clark and Anjanae Richardson rank second and fourth in steals per game, respectively. With that perimeter trio creating constant disruption, Norfolk State leads the MEAC in steals at 12.0 per game.

And if opponents manage to slip past that pressure, there’s still no relief.

Ciara Bailey leads the conference in blocked shots at 1.9 per game, while Carmen Kweti and Clark rank third and fourth. With three of the top four leaders in both steals and blocks, it’s easy to see why opponents feel surrounded and smothered the moment they cross half court. The Spartans sit atop the MEAC in scoring defense (61.7 points per game), opponent field-goal percentage (36.4), steals and blocked shots.

Clinton, who is second on the Spartans in scoring at 13.9 points per game — third in the conference — has fit seamlessly. Following her school-record nine 3-pointers in a road win over South Carolina State on Jan. 17, Clark leads the Spartans in scoring (14.6), which is second in the MEAC.

Her impact hasn’t gone unnoticed.

“She always shows up with high intensity and is always aggressive on defense, no matter the circumstances of the game,” Clark said to The IX Basketball. “It’s just a level of intensity she always plays with, and it’s admirable.”

What’s equally admirable is how Norfolk State has persevered through an 8–11 overall record and rebounded from its first conference loss since 2024. Over the past three seasons, the Spartans established themselves as the MEAC’s premier program, and expectations followed. This year, the path has been more uneven.

Instead of running from it, the Spartans have leaned into the process. They remain grounded in the belief that their goal of winning the conference tournament and returning to the NCAA Tournament for a fourth straight year is still very much alive.

---

The IX Basketball, a 24/7/365 women’s basketball newsroom powered by The Next

The IX Basketball: A basketball newsroom brought to you by The IX Sports. 24/7/365 women’s basketball coverage, written, edited and photographed by our young, diverse staff and dedicated to breaking news, analysis, historical deep dives and projections about the game we love.

---

“This is going to surprise a lot of people, but I’m proud of the team,” first-year Norfolk State head coach Jermaine Woods said to The IX Basketball. “Our record doesn’t reflect our talent. We’re putting new pieces together, people are in different roles, and we haven’t found our offensive identity yet. But when we do, it’s going to be magic.”

Clark and Clinton are aware of the chatter surrounding their nonconference struggles. While it’s been frustrating at times, they’ve stayed focused on improvement. Much of the nonconference slate was spent on the road against nationally ranked programs — Duke, Ole Miss, Iowa State, and Ohio State — with close losses to Penn and Campbell mixed in.

“We want to carry on a legacy, but we also want to define ourselves,” Woods said. “What Larry Vickers and those teams did will never be done again. That doesn’t mean we can’t win championships, but we’re a different team. The expectations are the same — and we accept them — but it’s not going to look like last year.”

There are flashes of the familiar Spartan way. In their 11th straight win over Delaware State, five players scored in double figures: Clinton, Richardson, Clark, LeAire Nicks, and Cire Worley. Nicks posted a career-high 12 points, while Worley added a season-best 13.

Clark has already earned MEAC Player of the Week twice and Defensive Player of the Week honors, underscoring her versatility. The wins are starting to stack, even as the Spartans quietly remember every premature verdict passed along the way.

Since losing to UMES, Norfolk State has limited Delaware State and South Carolina State to 28.9% shooting and an average of 47 points per game. They’ve also held teams to three single-digit quarters. Clark has taken those slights personally, like Michael Jordan in The Last Dance. She’s responded by posting consecutive double-doubles, and she has now entered the conversation for MEAC Player of the Year recognition.

“I feel like people think we’re done and have counted us out,” Clark said. “We know our record doesn’t reflect how good this team really is. We haven’t arrived yet—but when we do, it’s going to surprise a lot of people.”

Harris fueling South Carolina State’s rise

Lemyiah Harris’ older brothers never took it easy on her. They didn’t care that she was the only girl. If she was on the court, she was just another body to move, another defender to fight through. Elbows came. She hit the floor. She got up. Again, and again.

That toughness carried Harris along a scenic route to Division I basketball. She navigated junior college and Division II Miles College, where she helped it capture back-to-back Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference titles and earn NCAA Division II Tournament berths. Harris led Miles in scoring last season at 11.7 points per game.

Now at South Carolina State, Harris is leading the Bulldogs in scoring after battling a nagging ankle injury and a concussion early in the season. She poured in 28 points in a near-upset of preseason MEAC favorite Howard, then followed with 21 points in a road win at Coppin State five days later, helping South Carolina State snap a 13-game MEAC losing streak.

Harris’ 19 points enabled South Carolina State to end a 14-game losing streak to Morgan State with a hard-earned 62-59 victory two days later. During the Bulldogs’ Baltimore sweep, Harris averaged 20.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 3.5 assists. It helped her earn MEAC Player of the Week recognition. The consecutive conference victories were the program’s first since 2022.

Harris has made 13 3-pointers in the Bulldogs’ first three conference contests. She entered South Carolina State with 1,248 points from her previous stops.

“To showcase my talent, from all the way from JUCO to D2 to D1 says to me I can play with anybody,” Harris said to The IX Basketball following the Coppin State win on Jan. 8. “My journey means to me, I just wanted to be a dog. … It feels good to lead and be here at South Carolina State and to let others know that we’re here.”

South Carolina State first-year coach Cedric Baker was already familiar with Harris’ ankle-breaking moves, tough shot-making and leadership from game-planning against her at Miles while serving as head coach at Savannah State. When Baker was hired and learned Harris had one year of eligibility remaining, the decision was easy. The Alabama native was headed to Orangeburg.

“It’s always been a joy and a pleasure watching her play,” Baker said postgame to The IX Basketball after the Coppin State victory. “I root for women’s basketball. Of course, we want to win every game, but it’s always good to see good young women playing good basketball. And she has talent that deserves to be highlighted. … She was one of the first players we called, and she answered. Definitely been a pleasure coaching her. I’m happy to see her back on the court and share some success with her.”

The 5’6 Harris carries herself with the confidence of the best player on the floor. As she walked outside the locker room with ice packs strapped to her knees after the Coppin State game, she laughed and joked with teammates, her presence matching her production.

Bannerman ballin’ for Morgan State

Every time Morgan State senior guard Ja’la Bannerman steps onto the court, familiar faces greet her from the crowd. They clap, cheer and stomp — some holding belief and handmade signs, all making their presence felt. A Baltimore native, Bannerman plays wrapped in that sound, knowing her family is there to witness every cut, every shot, every moment.

When the final horn sounds, the circle forms again. Arms reach. Phones come out. There are hugs first, then smiles, then the gentle mix of encouragement and honest feedback that only family can give. Win or lose, the ritual remains. They are there. They always are. And to Bannerman, it means everything.

“It feels good when all my family comes out,” Bannerman said. “I’m close to my mom. I’m close to everybody. This just means so much to me.”

Bannerman is also healthy and in a good headspace, embracing her role as the Bears’ leading scorer and positive vibe curator. Her journey to Morgan State started with playing two years at Maryland-Eastern Shore. She left once the Hawks made a coaching change. Now, Bannerman is playing for her third coach in four seasons of college hoops at her second school.

Her role is bringing energy, to stay vocal, engaged and prepared even when the minutes didn’t come. Bannerman’s shift has required patience, especially for a player used to having the ball in her hands and having the offense running through her. But Bannerman never detached.

“She is understanding how to take a great shot instead of a good shot,” first-year Morgan State head coach Nadine Domond said to reporters during the MEAC coaches teleconference. “She’s understanding how she gets her shots in our system, and feel comfortable in that. I have to credit her because that’s a lot, trying to learn a new system and a new coach. So, for her growing in her own way every day is what makes her special.”

It hasn’t been easy for Bannerman, but she has found her groove.

She scored a career-high 32 points against Central Florida on Dec. 14 on 10-of-19 shooting. A week later, Bannerman scored 22 points against Loyola in a tough loss. Since scoring two points in 16 minutes in a home loss to UMBC on Dec. 6, Bannerman has averaged 14.8 points over the Bears’ last nine games.

---

Your business can reach over 3 million women’s sports fans every single month!

Here at The IX Basketball and The IX Sports, our audience is a collection of the smartest, most passionate women’s sports fans in the world. If your business has a mission to serve these fans, reach out to our team at BAlarie@theixsports.com to discuss ways to work together.

---

In leading the Bears in scoring at 12.1 points per game, Bannerman has provided energy off the bench in her new role.

“My journey to Morgan State hasn’t been easy at all,” Bannerman said. “There’s been a lot of ups and downs. A lot of sitting out and learning. To be here now, it’s a blessing. It’s just a blessing to know that my team needs me, and I need them. I am just not going to let them down. My confidence has been better because I have been having an attack mentality.”

Also, attacking lately for the Bears has been graduate guard Tiyanna James, who has scored in double figures in four of her six games. She had 17 points against UMES and 12 against South Carolina State. James and Bannerman have combined to make 46 3-pointers.

It would have been easy for doubt to creep in after 14 consecutive setbacks, many of them lopsided, as Morgan State adjusted to Domond. Instead, the losses hardened the Bears’ resolve. They finally saw the work pay off.

Down 10 in the third quarter against North Carolina Central, the Bears responded with a season-defining surge. A 20–0 run flipped the game and secured a 64-63 victory, snapping the losing streak. Bannerman scored. Kailyn Nash scored. Jael Butler, Gabrielle Johnson, and Mihjae Hayes joined in.

Seven of the eight baskets were assisted, with Hayes threading four of them — ball movement, belief and togetherness finally aligning during an electrifying 6:05 stretch of the third quarter. 

A week later, in a thrilling finish against Delaware State, Nash earned a water bottle splashing from her jubilant orange-shirted teammates as she made a game-winning shot at the buzzer for a 61-59 victory on Jan. 17. In that game, Nash, Bannerman, and Hayes helped Morgan State score 37 bench points as they all reached double digits.

“It’s hard to say something is working when you don’t see the results, especially in this society with these kids, right?” Domond said. “So it’s hard to say, trust the process, and they don’t see the results because they’re not like us. … When they finally saw the results of their work, they were super excited. ‘Okay, Coach, we got it. We see it.’ So, for them, I was so happy for them because I wanted (it) for them so bad. Now, we just got to continue to do what we supposed to do. I think at the end of the season, we’ll be happy with the results and the culture that we created.”