Wendy Stywalt had a game-high 16 points off 5-of-23 shooting in the 62-57 win
Charlotte, NC – The Lady Golden Bulls basketball team turned up the heat in Brayboy Gymnasium with a 62-57 season opener win against Pfeiffer University in the 2009 Queen City Classic hosted by Johnson C. Smith University. JCSU opens the season with a win in the QC Classic for the first time since 2006.
By the 16:15 mark Johnson C. Smith held a 12-3 lead, and then the Lady Falcons made a run. Pfeiffer scored 11 straight points to take a 14-12 lead with 12:26 remaining. The game stayed close throughout the first half until senior guard
Shakira Clarke (Toronto, Canada) hit a jumper from the left wing to expand the JCSU lead to 27-24. After back to back Pfeiffer turnovers, senior forward
Sheria Hatcher (Flint, MI) pushed the lead to five with a lay-up.
At halftime, the Lady Golden Bulls were up 33-28. Clarke had a team high eight points off four-of-six shooting at the break. Seniors
Demetria Bell (Indianapolis, IN) and
Wendy Stywalt (Charlotte, NC) each pitched in six points. Bell also had four rebounds, but Stywalt struggled from the field hitting just 3-of-13.
With 6:03 on the clock, Stywalt hit both free throws to tie the game for the ninth time at 52 apiece. JCSU managed to keep the Lady Falcons at bay and eventually closed out the game with solid free throw shooting. At the line, J.C. Smith shot 61.9 percent (13-21) in the second half and 54.8 percent for the game.
Stywalt had a game-high 16 points. She finished 5-of-23 from the floor and a solid six of ten from the charity stripe. Clarke came off the bench snatched six rebound and scored 10 points with 22 minutes played.
“It definitely feels good to start the season off with a win,” said JCSU head coach Vanessa Taylor. “I was expecting some first game jitters; we'll settle down as the season continues, right now we have to get ready for Queens.”
JCSU will play Queens University on Monday, November 16th in the final day of the Queen City Classic at 6:00 pm. Pfeiffer University and Wingate University will also tip-off in Brayboy Gymnasium at 4:00 pm.
