Freshman forward Racquel Davis was the second leading scorer with a near double-double of 10 points and eight rebounds in the 62-58 loss to SAC
Box Score vs. SAC
Charlotte, NC – The Johnson C. Smith University women's basketball team was tripped up in the last home game of the regular season by St. Augustine's College in divisional play on Monday evening inside Brayboy Gymnasium. JCSU moves to 21-3 overall, 13-3 in the CIAA, and 7-2 in the Southern; while the Lady Falcons improve to 17-9 overall, 11-5 conference, and 5-4 in the division.
Senior guards
Tyra Breaux (Baltimore, MD),
Shakeena Cunningham (Buffalo, NY), and
Shontanette Shaw (Raeford, NC), along with senior center
Brittane Neely (Arlington, VA) were looking to cap their career in Brayboy with a W-I-N, but some things do not go as planned.
After a jumper from Breaux and back-to-back layups from junior guard
LaQwesha Gamble (Winter Haven, FL), J.C. Smith held a 6-2 advantage in the first two minutes. The Lady Falcons responded with a three pointer and the back and forth scoring battle ensued. The contest reached its fourth tie (20-20) in the first half with 6:53 on the clock, off a score from Scharlawn Hubbard.
The Lady Golden Bulls were outscored 10-2 over the next two and half minutes. St. Aug eventually built a 38-25 lead with 1:45 remaining in the opening period. JCSU showed plenty fight, scoring six unanswered points before the break for a 38-31 deficit at halftime.
Gamble and junior guard
Terran Quattlebaum (Mitchellville, MD) were the leading scorers for J.C. Smith with 10 and seven points, respectively. Both teams shot 37% in the first half. SAC was better from the free throw line shooting 54.5% (6-11), compared to 33% (6-18) shooting for Johnson C. Smith.
JCSU trailed throughout the second half, but the game grew very interesting in the last three minutes. The Lady Falcons were ahead 60-52 at 3:20 mark. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, the seniors stepped up their play. First Breaux sank a jumper from the right wing to cut the deficit down to six (60-54).
SAC was off target on their next three offensive possessions. Cunningham took advantage and penetrated the lane for a score and chopped the lead to four (60-56). Breaux crossed up her defender and dished to Shaw inside for another uncontested bucket. JCSU trailed 60-58 with a minute left to play.
Brittany Torain was fouled with 20 seconds remaining and sent to the FT line to shoot two for SAC.
Torain missed the first, but connected on the second for a 61-58 lead. Quattlebaum misfired on a three point attempt from the right corner and Torain grabbed the defensive rebound.
With 10 seconds on the clock, Torain again missed the first, but made the second free throw to seal the victory and account for the 62-58 final score.
JCSU had their second lowest free throw shooting percentage 38.5% (10-26) of the season. Gamble had a team-high 12 points with six rebounds and two assists. Freshman forward
Racquel Davis (Bamberg, Germany) followed with a near double-double of 10 points and eight rebounds. In their final Brayboy regular season appearance: Breaux had nine points and six boards, Neely pitched in six points and seven rebounds, Shaw concluded with four rebounds, three points and three assists, Cunningham rounded out the senior performance with three assists and two points.
Four Lady Falcons had double digit point totals, led by Allison Sikes with 16 points. Scharlawn Hubbard collected 13 and 13 in points and rebounds.
J.C. Smith closes out the 2010-11 regular season on the road against Livingstone College on Saturday, February 26th. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. inside Trent Gymnasium in Salisbury, NC. Both teams are ranked in the Atlantic Region (JCSU – No. 7, LC – No. 10). JCSU had a decisive 82-50 victory over the Lady Blue Bears earlier this year (01/22/11) in Brayboy.
