Shakeena Cunningham had a team-high 16 points and three rebounds in the 74-54 regional finals loss to Shaw
NCAA Atlantic Regional Championship Box vs. Shaw
Edinboro, PA – The Johnson C. Smith University women's basketball team fail to advance to the Elite Eight after a 74-54 loss against Shaw University on Monday evening in the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional Championship held inside McComb Fieldhouse on the campus of Edinboro University PA. JCSU concludes the season at 26-5; the most overall victories in a single season in the program's history.
J.C. Smith sparked the slow starting contest with the first four points with shots from seniors
Shakeena Cunningham (Buffalo, NY) and
Brittane Neely (Arlington, VA). Unfortunately, Shaw followed with an 18-2 scoring run to take a sizable advantage. The Lady Bears held a double digit lead until the 5:45 mark.
After a layup from All-CIAA junior guard
LaQwesha Gamble (Winter Haven, FL), the Lady Golden Bulls faced a 24-15 deficit. JCSU ended the half with a 13-6 run to enter the locker room at halftime only down two (30-28). Gamble slightly injured her knee before the half, but would return in the second period.
At the break, Neely and junior guard
Terran Quattlebaum (Mitchellville, MD) had a team-high six points. Kyria Buford and Demaria Liles carried the offensive attack for Shaw with eight and seven points, respectively.
Cunningham scored the first bucket in the second half to tied things up at 30-30. However, the Lady Bears quickly responded with seven unanswered points to retake the lead. By the 14:33 mark, J.C. Smith trailed 50-40. Cunningham again stepped up; this time with a drive to the lane, scoring the basket and drawing the foul. After completing the traditional three-point play, senior guard
Tyra Breaux (Baltimore, MD) splashed a three pointer to cut the Shaw lead down to four (50-46).
The Lady Bears offense fell into another rhythm, outscoring Johnson C. Smith 14-4 over the next seven minutes. JCSU trailed 64-50 with 5:30 left to play and only managed to score two more field goals with the time remaining.
The Lady Golden Bulls shot 23.3% (10-43) in the second half and 25.4% (18-71) for the entire contest. JCSU was 2-17 (11.8%) from the three point line and despite shooting 80% (16-20) from the free throw line; Shaw converted on more free throws (23-30) than J.C. Smith attempted.
Cunningham and Gamble were each named to the Atlantic Region All-Tournament team. Cunningham finished with 16 points and three rebounds. Gamble scored eight points and grabbed 11 rebounds. Neely along with junior guard
Terrica Jones (Raleigh, NC) and
Shavonda Price (Ft. Wayne, IN) both pitched in eight points of their own.
Four finished with double figures for Shaw; including Kyria Buford's 24 points and Demaria Liles' (Tournament MVP) 17 points and 14 rebounds.
“We've had a good season, even though it didn't end the way we would have liked,” said CIAA Coach of the Year Vanessa Taylor. “Sometimes you give your best and it isn't good enough, but we have certainly learned more from this experience and will apply these lessons as we prepare for next season.”
Coach Taylor and the Lady Golden Bulls have eclipsed their best overall mark of 22-5 this season. Prior to the success of this season, JCSU women's basketball had not won a regional tournament contest. This was the sixth appearance in regional competition.
JCSU will have four seniors moving on Breaux, Cunningham, Neely, and
Shontanette Shaw (Raeford, NC).
Shaw will represent the CIAA in the NCAA Elite Eight in St. Joseph, Missouri beginning March 22nd with a national champion to be crowned on March 25th.
