Sheria Hatcher scored a team-high 12 points in JCSU first CIAA win this season
Charlotte, NC - The Lady Golden Bulls basketball team collected a 51-42 conference victory over Elizabeth City State University Monday afternoon inside Brayboy Gymnasium. JCSU wins their first CIAA contest to improve to 4-0 overall and 1-0 in the conference. The Lady Vikings move to 2-1 overall and 1-1 in the CIAA under first year head coach Alico Dunk.
J.C. Smith played an up-tempo first half, but struggled from the free throw line early. JCSU shot 40% from the line, only converting on four of their 10 FT attempts. At the half, ECSU faced a 26-18 deficit. Senior forward
Sheria Hatcher (Flint, MI) had a game-high of nine points on 50% (3-6) shooting in the first half.
The Lady Vikings cut into lead during the second half and eventually went ahead (37-36) after a three pointer from Joyce Freeman at the 6:00 mark. JCSU quickly recaptured the lead after two free throws from junior center
Brittane Neely (Arlington, VA). The Lady Golden Bulls maintained control and failed to relinquish the lead for the remaining five minutes.
ECSU drew close with a three-point from Shaquella Johnson (45-42), but Johnson C. Smith capitalized on free throw opportunities. The Lady Golden Bulls connected on 17-of-30 free throws in the second half and shot 52.5% (21-40) for the game from FT line.
Two Lady Golden Bulls had double-double on the night. Hatcher had a team-high 12 points and 10 rebounds, while Neely finished with 11 points, 10 boards, and four steals.
Johnson had a game-high 19 points and three steals for the Lady Vikings. Two huge disparities in the contests; JCSU won the rebounding battle 47-30 and Elizabeth City State committed 27 personal fouls compared to just eight fouls for J.C. Smith.
JCSU has one more game before the Thanksgiving break versus UNC-Pembroke on Wednesday, November 25th. Tip-off is slated for 2:00 pm inside Brayboy Gymnasium.
