Shakeena Cunningham had a team-high 14 points, including 8-of-9 shooting for the FT line in the 72-58 loss to Fay. St. in the 2010 CIAA Quarterfinals
Charlotte, NC – The Johnson C. Smith University women's basketball team had their 2009-10 season come to an end with a 72-58 quarterfinals loss against Fayetteville State University Wednesday afternoon in the 2010 CIAA Tournament played at the Time Warner Cable Arena. The Lady Golden Bulls finish the year 18-10 overall and 11-9 in the CIAA.
J.C. Smith never had the lead in this one; in fact they trailed by double digits for the entire second half. Fayetteville State outscored the Lady Golden Bulls 29-18 in the first half. FSU shot 48% in the opening (12-25), compared to just 33% for JCSU (7-21).
Fayetteville State forced 17 first half turnovers and produced 11 points off those miscues. Senior guards
Shakira Clarke (Toronto, Canada) and
Sheria Hatcher (Flint, MI) had a team-high four points each at the break.
Johnson C. Smith started the second half with only field goal in the first six minutes. FSU sparked a 15-4 scoring run during the Lady Golden Bulls' drought and pretty much put the game out of reach.
FSU scored 42 points in the paint and shot a season-high 54.2% from the field (26-48). The Lady Broncos shot 40% or better from the field only three times during the regular season.
This is the third victory for Fayetteville St. over the Lady Golden Bulls this season.
Junior guard
Shakeena Cunningham (Buffalo, NY) scored 11 second half points to finish with a team-high 14 along with three assists and two steals. Senior forward
Demetria Bell (Indianapolis, IN) flirted with a double-double with nine points and eight boards. Clarke concluded her career with eight points and five rebounds, but eight turnovers.
“We knew that it was going to be a tough task,” said JCSU head coach
Vanessa Taylor. “The past two games that we played them we struggled to contain them on the inside with their post players. Tonight, we just struggled defensively.”
Tiffany Haywood led FSU with 18 points on 7-of-9 shooting from the field. Danielle Russell tallied 13 points, while L'Oreal Price had 12 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Junior guard LaQuasha Jordan added 10 points and had a team-high five assists.
Bell has battled knee injuries the entire season and is scheduled to undergo major reconstructive surgery on her knee during the offseason. Taylor praised her not only for stellar play during her JCSU career, but also for leadership, determination and perseverance.
“She's been the heart and soul of this particular team this year,” Taylor said. “She's been the captain and she will be sorely missed. She's definitely provided a strong example for the young women that we have in our program.”
The Lady Broncos will meet the winner of Thursday's Virginia State-St. Paul's game in one of two CIAA semifinals on Friday. Game times have not been announced.
JCSU will be losing five senior student-athletes, but potentially returning 12 from the current roster.
