Despite the loss, Deanna Downer had a game-high 16 points, along with five rebounds and four assists
Box Score Charlotte, NC – The Johnson C. Smith University women's basketball team falls to Saint Augustine's University on Wednesday, January 22nd in a CIAA Southern Divisional matchup in Brayboy Gymnasium. JCSU moves to 10-7 overall, 5-3 in the conference, and 0-2 in the division; while the Lady Falcons improve to 10-6 overall, 5-2 in the CIAA, and 1-1 in the Southern.
The Golden Bulls fell behind early and trailed for the first six and half minutes of competition. A layup from Lakiya Rouse and four free throws from Victoria Davis placed JCSU in a 0-6 hole to start the game. A pair of free throws from freshman forward
Kaila Duarte (Boston, MA) and sophomore center
Salesse Stovall (Roanoke, VA) helped close the deficit. Junior center
Chelsea Faulhaber (Spartanburg, SC) hit a jumper off a pass from senior guard
Karnina Bunch (Vicksburg, MS) to tie the game 8-8 with 13:29 left in the half.
Senior guard
Marquesha Sparks (San Fernando, CA) splashed a three pointer on the next possession for an 11-8 JCSU lead. The Golden Bulls maintained an advantage from the 13:10 until halftime; leading by as much as 14 with three minutes remaining before the break. The Lady Falcons went into the locker at the half down 31-22.
Senior guard
Deanna Downer (Elberton, GA) paced the Golden Bulls with eight points in the first half, followed by Faulhaber with six points. JCSU made 11-of-29 shot attempts (37.9%), including 3-of-5 shooting from the three point line (60%).
Saint Augustine's struggled from the field early on, only connecting on 5-of-26 (19%) shots. Rouse and Ebony Spencer each had six points for SAU in the opening period.
In the second frame, the Golden Bulls watched their lead dwindle away behind a 12-4 scoring run by the Lady Falcons. Jeanne-Marie Wilson made two free throws at the 13:14 mark to capture a 36-35 lead for Saint Augustine's.
Turnovers plagued JCSU throughout the second half. A three pointer from Regime McCombs with 10:52 on the clock gave SAU a 43-42; a lead that would not be relinquished. Saint Augustine's pushed their advantage to as much as eight, before closing out the contest with a 64-57 win.
The Golden Bulls committed 18 turnovers in the second half for a total of 30 for the game. SAU also outscored JCSU 28-20 in the paint and improve their shooting percentage to 40.6% (13-32) in the final stanza.
Downer finished with a game-high 16 points, along with five rebounds and four assists.
Three Lady Falcons had double digit point totals, led by McCombs with 13 points. Terri Jacobs and Ebony Spencer chipped in 11 and 10 points, respectively.
JCSU will return to action on Saturday, January 25th against longtime divisional rival Livingstone College. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. at Brayboy Gymnasium.
