Head coach Stephen Joyner, Jr. talking with the lineup during a timeout the of 64-56 win against Virginia Union
Box Score
Charlotte, NC – The Johnson C. Smith University women's basketball team are currently on a six-games winning streak after defeating Virginia Union University 64-56 on Monday, January 6th at Brayboy Gymnasium. JCSU improves to 8-4 overall, 3-0 in the conference, and 6-0 at home.
The Golden Bulls pounced on Virginia Union early in the first half with an 11-4 lead by the 16:20 mark. VUU rebounded from the deficit with an 8-0 run to grab a 12-11 advantage approaching the midpoint of the half. JCSU broke their scoring drought with a layup from senior guard
Karnina Bunch (Vicksburg, MS) and then a three-pointer from fellow senior guard
Marquesha Sparks (San Fernando, CA).
Virginia Union trailed 23-14 with 7:25 remaining before halftime following a layup from sophomore forward
Amena Brent (Chicago, IL). JCSU almost had a double digit lead at the break, but Melyse Brown made a three-pointer for the Lady Panthers. The Golden Bulls at a 35-28 lead at halftime.
Bunch led JCSU at the break with 11 points and four assists. Sparks and junior center
Chelsea Faulhaber (Spartanburg, SC) each had six points and two rebounds. The Golden Bulls won the rebounding battle 21-14, but shot 38% (13-34) from the field in the opening.
Brown had a VUU-high of seven points and four steals for the Lady Panthers. Virginia Union connected on 52% (12-23) of their shots from the floor.
VUU turned the tides in the second half with an 11-0 run in the first four and a half minutes of play. JCSU faced a 39-35 deficit after the scoring burst. Faulhaber made a turnaround hook for the first JCSU field goal of the second half at the 13:48 mark. After that score, the Golden Bulls outscored Virginia Union 10-2 over the next three minutes.
JCSU led for the final 12:31 of play and closed out the game for their eighth win in their last nine games.
Bunch finished with a team-high 15 points and seven assists, along with four boards and two steals. Faulhaber had 14 points and four rebounds. Sparks chipped in 10 points, five rebounds, three assists, and three steals. Sophomore forward
Salesse Stovall (Roanoke, VA) contributed with seven rebounds, and six points.
Brown had a game-high 18 points for Virginia Union. Ashle Freeman had 11 points, five assists, and three steals for the Lady Panthers.
JCSU women's basketball will face Chowan University in Murfreesboro, NC on Thursday, January 9th. Tipoff is slated for 5:30 p.m. at the Helms Center.
