Senior guard Shakira Clarke came off the bench and scored a game-high 17 points in the 74-53 win over VUU
Charlotte, NC – The No. 18 Lady Golden Bulls basketball team topped Virginia Union University 74-53 Monday evening in conference action at the Grady Cole Center. JCSU improves to 10-2 overall and 4-2 in the CIAA, while the Lady Panthers fall to 2-7 overall and 0-7 in the conference.
JCSU started off sluggish in the first half. The Lady Panthers used good ball movement to develop a 13-4 lead by the 14:07 mark. However, J.C. Smith eventually settled down halfway through the period. Two free throws from senior guard
Shakira Clarke (Toronto, Canada) tied the game at 19 with 9:18 remaining.
Junior guard
Tyra Breaux (Baltimore, MD) gave JCSU their first lead (21-19) after two made free throws. Breaux caught fire in the first; hitting 4-of-4 from the FT line, and 3-of-3 from the floor, including two three pointers. The Lady Golden Bulls held a 47-33 advantage at halftime. Breaux had a first half-high of 12 points, followed by Clarke coming off the bench with 11.
Johnson C. Smith shot 44% from the field (15-34) and outscored VUU 22-3 off turnovers. Virginia Union was led by Tonaye Smith and Kara Scott, who produced 12 points and nine points, respectively.
VA Union sparked a 7-2 run to draw within nine (49-40) in the initial four minutes of the second period. But that would be the last of their offensive push, JCSU led by double digits for the remainder of the contest. The Lady Panthers trailed by as much as 23 down the final stretch.
The Lady Golden Bulls finished shooting 41.7% from the field (25-60), forcing 25 turnovers, and winning the points off turnover battle 31-7. Clarke had a game-high 17 points with two steals and two assists. Breaux finished four points shy of her career best with 14 points, and sophomore guard
Terran Quattlebaum (Mitchellville, MD) was a solid contributor with 12 points and two steals. Senior forward
Demetria Bell grabbed 14 rebounds and chipped in eight points.
Scott and Smith ended the night with 16 points and 14 points, respectively.
JCSU returns to the court on Saturday, January 9th in a conference contest versus Elizabeth City State University. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 pm inside the RL Vaughan Center in Elizabeth City.
