LaQwesha Gamble produced a double-double of 25 points and 16 boards in the 70-61 win over WSSU
Box Score Box Score vs. WSSU
Charlotte, NC – The Johnson C. Smith University women's basketball team earned a hard fought 70-61 divisional victory over Winston-Salem State University on Monday evening inside Brayboy Gymnasium. JCSU improves to 15-3 overall, 9-0 in the CIAA, and 3-0 in the Southern; while the Lady Rams move to 13-6 in the standings, 8-1 in the conference, and 2-1 in the division.
This contest was filled with interesting storylines for the diehard and casual sports fan. Both teams entered the matchup 8-0 in the CIAA and 2-0 in the division. Each squad carried impressive winning streaks; JCSU eight games, WSSU with 10 in a row. On top of that, JCSU alum and current Lady Rams head coach
Stephen Joyner, Jr. returned to his alma mater to face his former coaching supervisor (Vanessa Taylor) on the court named after his father. With all this build up, the game still exceeded expectations.
The first half had an unfamiliar ending for the Golden Bulls. JCSU trailed the first time all season inside Brayboy at the break. Johnson C. Smith shot 29.6% (8-27) from the field, including 0-for-4 from beyond the arc in the opening. Meanwhile, WSSU capitalized shooting 50% (4-8) from the three-point line and 85.7% (6-7) from the foul line.
JCSU faced a 36-28 deficit at the half.
Winston-Salem maintained controlled midway through the second half. After a layup from Alisha Hardley, the Golden Bulls were down 59-51 with 7:50 left in regulation. However, JCSU intensified their defensive pressure and held the Lady Rams scoreless over the next seven minutes.
Senior guard
Shavonda Price (Fort Wayne, IN) splashed a three-ball at the 5:27 mark that recaptured the lead for JCSU (60-59). The shot put JCSU ahead for the first time since 11:13 in the first half. The Golden Bulls rattled off 16 unanswered points for a 67-59 lead with 56 seconds left to play.
The Golden Bulls closed out the contest by connecting on free throws down the stretch.
The senior dynamic duo of Price and guard
LaQwesha Gamble (Winter Haven, FL) lived up to their reputation. Price scored a game-high 26 points and grabbed 14 rebounds. Gamble produced a double-double of her own with 25 points and 16 boards, including 11-of-16 shooting from the free throw line. The duo accounted for 72.8% (51-70) of the Golden Bulls' points and 69.7% (30-43) of the rebounding.
Three finished with double digit point totals for WSSU. Hardley had a team-high 12 points. Courtney Medley pitched in 11 points, followed by Jasmine Newkirk's double-double of 10 points and 10 boards.
JCSU will take on the other divisional heavyweight, Shaw University, on Saturday, February 4th inside Brayboy Gymnasium. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. The Golden Bulls swept Shaw during the regular season last year. However, the Lady Bears earned revenge in the post season with wins in the CIAA Tournament Finals and the NCAA DII Atlantic Regional Finals.
