Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls

Charlotte, NC – The Lady Golden Bulls basketball team knocked off Wingate University 65-60 in overtime Saturday afternoon inside Brayboy Gymnasium. JCSU improves to 3-0 overall, while the Bulldogs fall to 2-1 in the standings.

Johnson C. Smith earned a healthy lead in the first half playing solid defense. JCSU had 10 first half steals and forced Wingate into committing 21 turnovers. The Bulldogs were outscored 20-6 in the points off turnovers category. J.C. Smith lost the rebounding battle 25-10, but shot 46 percent from the field (12-26) in the opening.

The Lady Golden Bulls held a 13 point lead at halftime (30-17), but watched their lead dwindle away in the closing seconds. With less than a minute remaining, senior guard Wendy Stywalt (Charlotte, NC) turned the ball over at half court and allowed Sarah Wollett to score off the steal. JCSU head coach Vanessa Taylor called timeout with 19 seconds left and the score knotted up at 55. Stywalt had an unsuccessful last shot attempt, which sent the game into overtime.

In the extra frame, Wingate was 0-for-6 from the field and scored their only points at the FT line (5-8). Stywalt found senior forward Demetria Bell (Indianapolis, IN) open under the basket for a lay-up to push JCSU ahead 62-58 with a little under a minute to play. Junior guard Tyra Breaux (Baltimore, MD) sank a free throw, stole the ball on the next possession, then found Stywalt on a fast break for the game clinching basket.

Wingate had three with double-digit point totals. Kurie Washington had a team-high 18 points and seven rebounds, while Sarah Wollett and Jessy Keitt scored 10 each. The Bulldogs dominated the glass 52-37 and produced 21 second chance points. Wingate also topped the Lady Golden Bulls in the second half 38-25 and shot 41 percent.

Stywalt finished with a game-high 25 points, along with six rebounds and three steals. Bell and junior guard Shakeena Cunningham each had eight points and perfect shooting percentage from the free throw line, Bell 4-for-4 and Cunningham 2-for-2. Senior forward Sheria Hatcher (Flint, MI) produced six points, seven rebounds, and two steals off the bench.

“We'll take a win however we have to get it,” says Coach Taylor. “We have yet to face an easy team and I doubt we will all season; so far we've played three and won three now it's time to see how we play against a conference opponent.”