Tyra Breaux showed poise and senior leadership, scoring 15 points after the 1st half for a team-high 22 points in the 78-72 OT semifinal win against West Liberty
NCAA DII Semifinal Box vs. West Liberty
Edinboro, PA – The Johnson C. Smith University women's basketball captured a 78-72 overtime victory against West Liberty University (No. 3 seed) in the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional semifinals on Saturday evening inside a frigid McComb Fieldhouse. JCSU improves to 26-4 overall and advance to the regional championship game on Monday, March 14th to face the winner of No. 5 California PA and No. 8 Shaw at 7:00 p.m. inside McComb Fieldhouse.
Junior guard
Terrica Jones (Raleigh, NC) splashed a three pointer at the 19:13 mark for the first J.C. Smith points and lead (3-2) of the game. However, the Hilltoppers recovered quickly and displayed some dangerous outside shooting throughout the first half. West Liberty held an advantage for the remainder of the opening and led 40-32 at halftime.
JCSU shot 33% (12-36) in the first half, compared to 40.6% (13-32) shooting from West Liberty. The Hilltoppers connected on 7 of their 17 three point attempts, but were out-rebounded 27-18. Junior All-CIAA guard
LaQwesha Gamble (Winter Haven, FL) had most of the production with 10 points and seven rebounds at the break. Jones and senior guard
Tyra Breaux (Baltimore, MD) pitched in seven points apiece.
All-American Tori Hansen had the hot-hand for West Liberty with 18 points and seven boards in the first half.
J.C. Smith chopped away at the lead in the second half. Gamble hit a deep three at the 9:39 mark to give JCSU a 51-49 advantage. This would be the first Johnson C. Smith lead since the three from Jones with 19:13 on the clock in the opening period. The contest was a seesaw battle until the end of regulation.
With 36.8 seconds remaining, West Liberty held onto a 65-63 lead; possession was Johnson C. Smith's. Senior guard
Shakeena Cunningham (Buffalo, NY) dribbled some time off the clock before penetrating inside for a layup off the glass. The Hilltoppers had 15 seconds and the final possession, but failed to convert a field goal or draw a foul. Regulation concluded with both teams tied 65-65.
The Lady Golden Bulls limited West Liberty to one field goal in overtime and shot 11-14 from the free throw line to ice the game and move on to the finals.
Four finished with double digit point totals from Johnson C. Smith led by Breaux with 22 points, including seven in overtime. Gamble produced a double-double of 17 points and 11 rebounds before fouling out with 42 seconds remaining in regulation. Jones was solid with 13 points, followed by Cunningham with 12 points and two steals. Senior
Brittane Neely (Arlington, VA) was aggressive grabbing 14 rebounds (10 offensive) with only two points.
Hansen put on a showcase with a game-high 30 points and 18 boards (10 defensive) for the Hilltoppers. Laura Malernee had 18 points and Jordan Stacey had a quiet double-double of 10 points and rebounds.
“This season our team has been about accountability for each other and themselves on and off the court; which has allowed us to strive for the common thread of competitive greatness,” said CIAA Coach of the Year
Vanessa Taylor. “This is an exciting opportunity for our team, our University, and our conference (CIAA); these young ladies have become pioneers and we want to go as far as we can.”
This team has already achieved the most wins in a single season (26), advanced the furthest in regional competition, and received the first ever conference coach of the year honor in the women's program history; in addition to winning the CIAA Southern Division regular season crown.
Johnson C. Smith will either face California PA (23-7) or CIAA rival Shaw (22-11) in the NCAA DII Atlantic Regional Championship on Monday, March 14th at 7:00 p.m. The Vulcans entered the tournament as the No. 5 seed out of the PSAC. The Lady Bears advance to the tournament as the No. 8 seed with a CIAA Championship victory over JCSU last weekend.
