LaQwesha Gamble opened the season with a double-double of 21 points and 12 rebounds in a 72-63 win over Queens
Box Score vs. Queens
Charlotte, NC – The Johnson C. Smith University women's basketball team sparked the 2011-12 season with a 72-63 victory against Queens University of Charlotte on Saturday afternoon inside Ovens Athletic Center. This contest marked the year opener for both squads with JCSU moving to 1-0 and the Royals at 0-1 in the standings.
The Golden Bulls had some miscues early. JCSU faced a 15-point deficit at the 7:23 mark with only 13 points scored. After shaking off the rust, Johnson C. Smith outscored Queens 19-3 over the next six and a half minutes. Senior guard
Shavonda Price (Fort Wayne, IN) put back an offensive rebound for the first JCSU lead (32-31) with under a minute before halftime.
Dyonna Battle hit two free throws to push the Royals ahead 33-32 on the next possession. In the final seconds of the first half, Price scored a fast break lay-up off a steal at half court. The bucket gave JCSU a 34-33 halftime advantage.
The second half began competitively for both teams. Senior guard
Terrica Jones (Raleigh, NC) hit a jumper with 6:48 remaining for a one-point JCSU lead (53-52). The Golden Bulls led for the remainder of the game even expanding their advantage to double digits towards the close.
The shooting percentage for Johnson C. Smith improved by 23 percent from the first half (11-35/31%) to the second half (12-22/54%). Four scored double figures for JCSU led by Price with 22 points and four steals.
Senior guard
LaQwesha Gamble (Winter Haven, FL) started the season with a double-double of 21 points and 12 rebounds. Gamble also had four steals and three blocks, shooting 73 percent from the free throw line (11-15). Senior guard
Terran Quattlebaum (Mitchellville, MD) produced 11 points followed by Jones with 10 points and two assists.
The Royals committed 26 turnovers while forcing 15. Queens also committed 28 fouls to 12 for JCSU allowing 41 free attempts. Johnson C. Smith made 25 of 41 FT attempts to shoot 61 percent. Queens was outscored 34-16 inside the paint and 27-13 off turnovers.
The Golden Bulls are scheduled to open the newly renovated Brayboy Gymnasium for their next contest. JCSU will face North Greenville University on Tuesday, November 15th at 5:30 p.m. in the home opener. Women's basketball had a 12-2 home record last season. Johnson C. Smith also topped North Greenville last year 68-49 on the road.
