Karnina Bunch had a team-high 21 points in the 72-66 win over North Greenville; it was her second consecutive 20+ point performance
Box Score
Charlotte, NC – The Johnson C. Smith University women's basketball team earn their second consecutive victory with a 72-66 non-conference win against North Greenville University on Tuesday, November 26th at Brayboy Gymnasium. JCSU improves to 2-3 overall, while the Lady Crusaders fall to 1-6 in the standings.
This game was tightly contested in the first half only. Midway through the first period, JCSU and North Greenville were tied 17-17. The Golden Bulls did rattle off six straight points; including two field goals from freshman guard
Quinesha Lynch (Rocky Mount, NC) to take a 23-17 lead with 8:24 before halftime.
The scoring run by the Golden Bulls produced the largest lead of the half. A layup from Alisha Hope tied the game (34-34) for the fifth time. Sophomore guard
LaTondra Morrow (Charlotte, NC) made the last basket of the first period for a 36-34 JCSU lead at halftime.
Senior guard
Karnina Bunch (Vicksburg, MS) and freshman forward
Kaila Duarte (Boston, MA) shouldered the bulk of the scoring for Johnson C. Smith. Bunch had 12 points at the break, followed by Duarte with 10 points and four rebounds off 4-of-5 (80%) shooting from the floor. Despite leading at the break, JCSU shot 36% (16-44) from the field, compared to 51.7% (15-29) shooting for North Greenville.
Timisty Nelson and Alisha Hope paced the Lady Crusaders in the opening. Nelson had 12 points and four assists, while Hope chipped in 11 points; both had a flawless shooting percentage. JCSU held a 29-18 rebounding advantage at the break.
JCSU scored the first three baskets of the second half for a 42-34 lead. Following two made free throws from senior guard
Marquesha Sparks (San Fernando, CA) gave the Golden Bulls their first double digit lead of the contest (48-38). The deficit for North Greenville grew to as much as 67-52 with 5:13 to play.
North Greenville trailed for the entire second half, but they did manage to get within two possessions (71-66) with less than 30 seconds on the clock. The Golden Bulls maintained their composure and closed out the game defensively.
Bunch finished with a team-high 21 points. Senior guard
Deanna Downer (Elberton, GA) produced 18 points, three assists, and three steals. Duarte was one rebound shy of a double-double with 14 points and nine boards. Sparks recorded her first double-double with 16 rebounds and 11 points.
"Tonight was a team win all the way around," said JCSU head women's basketball coach
Stephen Joyner, Jr. "We were short post players tonight, but (Marquesha) Sparks and (Kaila) Duarte stepped up and did a great job rebounding for us. Deanna (Downer) was a solid scorer for us, but she also held their leading scorer to no points. It's a good win, but we have to keep working."
Nelson led the Lady Crusaders with a game-high 22 points, along with nine rebounds, six assists, and eight turnovers. Hope finished with 17 points for North Greenville.
JCSU returns to action on Saturday, November 30th against Seton Hill University in Greensburg, PA. Tipoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. at the McKenna Center.
