Tyra Breaux had a team-high 14 points and sealed the win with two free throws in the final seconds
Winston Salem, NC – The Johnson C. Smith University women's basketball team remains unbeaten on the road after a 64-60 win over Winston-Salem State University on Monday evening inside the C.E. Gaines Center on the campus of WSSU. JCSU improves to 17-1 overall, 10-1 in the CIAA, and 3-0 in the division; while the Lady Rams move to 12-7 overall, 7-3 in the conference, and 2-1 in the Southern.
Coming into this game, there were a few interesting storylines. First, this was the first contest between JCSU and Winston-Salem State since January 2007; after WSSU ventured out of the CIAA to Division I-AA competition. WSSU head women's coach
Stephen Joyner, Jr. has several ties to Johnson C. Smith University.
Joyner, Jr. is an alum of JCSU and former student-athlete, he served two seasons as the assistant women's basketball coach (under current JCSU head women's coach
Vanessa Taylor), and he is the son of JCSU Director of Athletics and head men's basketball coach #Stephen Joyner, Sr#. Despite all those facts, JCSU and WSSU were battling for the top spot in the CIAA Southern Division.
The Lady Golden Bulls got settled into their rhythm shortly after the first half began. JCSU trailed 26-20 with 9:40 remaining, when Coach Taylor took a timeout. Following the timeout, J.C. Smith scored 14 unanswered points as the Lady Rams went into a scoreless drought for over six minutes. Winston-Salem faced a 37-32 deficit heading into halftime.
JCSU shot 52% (13-25) in the first, compared to 39.4% (13-33) shooting from the Lady Rams. Junior guard
Terran Quattlebaum (Mitchellville, MD) paced JCSU with 11 points, including 3-of-5 (60%) shooting from the three-point line. Senior guard
Tyra Breaux (Baltimore, MD) followed with eight points coming off the bench.
In the second, the Lady Golden Bulls seemed to be coasting towards another victory with a 62-55 advantage and 2:39 left to play. Winston Salem quickly changed the tempo of the contest. Jasmine Newkirk drilled a big three pointer followed with a steal and fast break layup by Courtney Medley. Medley was fouled on the score and had an opportunity to cut the lead to one (62-60), but could not convert on the free throw attempt.
WSSU trailed by two (62-60) and held possession with 26 seconds on the clock. Newkirk dribbled out some clock before penetrating the lane and dishing to Jordhan Peterson. Peterson was blocked by senior center
Brittane Neely (Arlington, VA) and Breaux grabbed the rebound. Breaux made two free throws after being fouled with four seconds remaining. Both free throws sealed the win and accounted for the final score.
J.C. Smith concluded the contest with a 48% (25-52) shooting percentage from the field, compared to 36.9% (24-65) shooting from WSSU. Breaux had a team-high 14 points and four assists. Quattlebaum produced 13 points and two steals. Neely ended the night with nine points, six rebounds, and two blocks. Junior guard
LaQwesha Gamble (Winter Haven, FL) chimed in with 11 rebounds, seven points, and three blocks.
The Lady Rams had three finished with double digit point totals led by Jasmine Newkirk with 16. Courtney Medley had 15 points and eight boards, while Vontisha Woods contributed with 13 points and 12 rebounds.
“Tonight was definitely a test for us,” said Coach Taylor. “We knew they were well coached and ready to play hard in front of their home crowd. Though some mistakes were made, it was good to see our team show some resolve and find a way to close the game.”
Johnson C. Smith returns to action in a divisional matchup with Shaw University on Saturday, February 5th in Raleigh, NC. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. inside C.C. Spaulding Gymnasium.
