Marquesha Sparks had a team-high 12 points, along with six rebounds and three assists in the 68-64 win over Winston-Salem State
Box Score
Winston-Salem, NC – The Johnson C. Smith University women's basketball team hangs on for a 68-64 divisional victory over Winston-Salem State University on Thursday, January 30th at the C.E. Gaines Center. JCSU improves to 11-8 overall, 6-4 in the conference, and 1-3 in the Southern; while the Lady Rams move to 11-9 overall, 5-5 in the CIAA, and 1-3 in the division.
The first half had a slow, back and forth pace. Two free throws from senior guard
Marquesha Sparks (San Fernando, CA) gave the Golden Bulls a 16-14 lead with less than 10 minutes left before halftime. The game reached a sixth tie off a layup from Jasmine Elum.
A three pointer from sophomore center
Ashley Porter (Winston-Salem, NC) moved JCSU ahead 19-17 with 9:04 on the clock. Winston-Salem State trailed for the remainder of the period. Senior guard
Deanna Downer (Elberton, GA) made a jumper in the lane with five seconds left. Vanessa Weston answered with a three at the buzzer for the Lady Rams. The Golden Bulls held a 35-30 advantage at the break.
Porter had a team-high seven points, along with three rebounds in the opening. Junior center
Amena Brent (Chicago, IL) had six points and four boards, shooting 75% (3-4) from the field. JCSU connected on 43.8% (14-32) from the floor and 66.7% (6-9) from the foul line.
Weston had nine points for the Lady Rams, followed by Amanda Hairston with eight points and three rebounds. WSSU struggled from the floor, shooting 29% (9-31) in the initial frame.
The contest reached a 10th and final tie around the five minute mark of the second half. Sophomore forward
Salesse Stovall (Roanoke, VA) grabbed an offensive rebound and scored a layup. The game was knotted up at 58-58, until junior guard
Shanel Sweet (Land O'Lakes, FL) broke the tie with two free throws.
Raven Fields answered with a three for a 61-60 WSSU lead with five minutes remaining. Stovall scored in the paint again for the Golden Bulls to reclaim an advantage. Solid free throw shooting and a bucket from Sparks sealed the win for JCSU.
Sparks concluded the game with a team-high 12 points, along with six rebounds and three assists. Bunch had 11 points and three boards. Porter ended her evening with 10 points, four rebounds, and two blocks.
Four Lady Rams scored double figures, led by Hairston with 16 points. Jovonah Graham had a double-double of 14 points and 12 boards for WSSU.
JCSU returns to action on Saturday, February 1st against divisional foe Shaw University. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. at the C. C. Spaulding Gymnasium in Raleigh, NC.
