Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls

JCSU WOMEN’S BASKETBALL DROPS FIRST GAME TO VIRGINIA STATE 66-56 AT HOME

1/15/2011 7:09:19 PM

Turnovers play critical role in outcome

Box Score vs. Virginia State

Charlotte, NC – The Johnson C. Smith University women's basketball team lose for the first time this season to Virginia State University 66-56 on Saturday afternoon inside Brayboy Gymnasium. JCSU moves to 11-1 overall and 4-1 in the CIAA, while VSU jumps to 8-4 overall and 2-2 in the conference.

J.C. Smith got off to a slow start in the first half, even though they recovered by halftime. Five minutes into the contest, Virginia State held a 13-3 advantage. JCSU outscored the Lady Trojans 12-4 over the next 11 and half minutes. At the 2:40 mark, junior guard Terran Quattlebaum (Mitchellville, MD) hit a three from the corner to put Johnson C. Smith up for the first time (18-17).

The Lady Golden Bulls went into the locker room at the half ahead 26-21, thanks in part to solid free throw shooting. Both VSU (32.3%) and JCSU (29.6%) had a rough shooting performance from the field in the first. However, J.C. Smith made good on 8-of-10 free throw attempts for a small lead.

VSU put together an 11-6 scoring run to tie the game (32-32) with 14:34 on the clock. After a sixth tie (43-43) with 7:09 remaining, JCSU lost their grip on the contest. The Lady Trojans forced turnovers en route to a 15-1 scoring output and a 58-44 lead.

JCSU never really recovered, though they got within six with 19 seconds remaining. Virginia State sealed the game at the free throw line and snapped J.C. Smith impressive 11-game winning streak to start the 2010-11 season.

Virginia State beat JCSU 27-12 in points off turnovers, 38-28 points in the paint, and 10-2 in fast break opportunities. J.C. Smith had their worst shooting night of the season with a 29.9% (20-67) performance from the floor. JCSU also committed 29 turnovers compared to 22 turnovers from Virginia State.

Junior guard LaQwesha Gamble (Winter Haven, FL) produced a double-double of 11 points and 13 rebounds with three assists. Junior guard Shavonda Price (Ft. Wayne, IN) followed with 10 points and six rebounds, also five turnovers. Senior center Brittane Neely (Arlington, VA) had eight points, 12 boards, and four blocks.

Four scored double figures for VSU, led by Nia Thompson with a game-high 22 points. Rhon”Neisha Taylor and Pamela Muldrow had 13 points each.

“We got off to a slow start, committed too many turnovers, and allowed them (Virginia State) to be more aggressive than us during certain points of the game,” said head coach Vanessa Taylor. “We knew this would be a challenging opponent, they usually are; but we'll learn from this, work on improving, and move forward.”

Johnson C. Smith returns to the court on Monday, January 17th for another conference game with Virginia Union University. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. inside Brayboy Gymnasium.