JCSU women's basketball improves their record at home to 5-0 with a 64-59 win over Bowie State
Box Score Charlotte, NC – The Johnson C. Smith University women's basketball team outlasted Bowie State University for a 64-59 victory on Saturday, January 4th at Brayboy Gymnasium. JCSU improves to 7-4 overall and 2-0 in the CIAA, while the Lady Bulldogs fall to 6-4 overall and 1-1 in the conference.
After the first four minutes of play, the Golden Bulls grabbed a 6-5 lead off a jumper from senior guard
Deanna Downer (Elberton, GA). Once time reached the 5:57 mark, JCSU held a 20-11 advantage. The first half had only one lead change and two ties. Bowie State trailed at halftime 35-17.
Senior guard
Marquesha Sparks (San Fernando, CA) paced the Golden Bulls with seven points and two rebounds. Downer supported the scoring effort with six points and two boards. JCSU shot 41.7% (10-24) from the field in the opening, compared to 26% (6-23) shooting for the Lady Bulldogs.
Alisha Burley and Alessandra Flores had five points each for Bowie State in the initial period. The Golden Bulls outscored BSU 11-0 in the points off turnovers category; the Lady Bulldogs committed 14 turnovers in the first half.
In the second half, JCSU extended their lead to as much as 21 (40-19) with 16:50 remaining in the contest. With the score 44-24, Bowie State sparked an 8-0 run to trim their deficit down to 44-32 at the halfway mark. The Golden Bulls responded with three sets of free throws from senior guard
Karnina Bunch (Vicksburg, MS), sophomore forward
Salesse Stovall (Roanoke, VA) and Sparks.
Bowie State faced a 50-32 uphill battle and rattled off 15 unanswered points to draw within a possession (50-47). Even though the Lady Bulldogs flirted with taking a lead, the team never managed to do it. Jasmine McIntosh hit a three with 1:32 left to play to bring BSU within one (58-57).
However, a clutch jumper from junior guard
Shanel Sweet (Land O'Lakes, FL) and four made free throws from Bunch and Sparks sealed the win.
Sparks finished with a team-high 12 points, along with five rebounds. Downer chipped in 11 points, three boards, and two steals. Bunch concluded with 10 points, including 8-of-10 shooting (80%) from the free throw line.
Ashley Castle and Jasmine McIntosh led the Lady Bulldogs with 15 points and 12 points, respectively. Bowie State managed to outscore JCSU 42-29 in the second half. The Golden Bulls won the rebounding battle 41-33.
The Golden Bulls return to the court on Monday, January 6th for a CIAA contest against Virginia Union University. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. at Brayboy Gymnasium. JCSU is currently 5-0 at home this season.
