Karnina Bunch had a career and game-high of 30 points, including six three-pointers in the 65-57 win over Livingstone
Box Score Salisbury, NC – The Johnson C. Smith University women's basketball team evened the season series with a 65-57 victory over Livingstone College on Saturday, February 15th at Trent Gym. JCSU improves to 13-9 overall, 8-5 in the CIAA, and 3-4 in the Southern Division.
The first half began with a slow pace, especially for the Golden Bulls. Livingstone jumped out to a 10-0 by the halfway point of the opening.
Senior guard
Marquesha Sparks (San Fernando, CA) broke the scoreless drought with a layup off the glass at exactly the 10 minute mark. Despite not scoring the first 10 minutes of action, JCSU only trailed 10-2 after the score from Sparks. Senior guard
Karnina Bunch (Vicksburg, MS) followed up with a three pointer from the left corner to draw closer.
The shots by Sparks and Bunch were the beginning of an 11-0 JCSU run. The first half came to a close with sophomore center
Amena Brent (Chicago, IL) grabbing the offensive rebound and drawing a foul with 2.5 seconds on the clock. Brent scored the field goal in the paint and connected on her foul shot. Those scores gave the Golden Bulls a 25-24 advantage at the break.
Both teams shot below 30% in the initial period. JCSU made 28% (7-25) of their shots, compared to 26.7% (8-30) for the Lady Blue Bears. Bunch had a team-high eight points at the break, followed by Brent with seven points and six rebounds.
Cierra York and Ashley Walker led Livingstone with seven points each going into the second half.
Returning from halftime, Walker opened up with a long-range three pointer to take a 27-25 Lady Blue Bears lead at the 19:36 mark. A layup off the glass by Brent on the next possession made it a tie game.
At the first media timeout of the second half, Livingstone utilized an 8-5 scoring run for a 33-29 advantage. Baskets by junior guard
Shanel Sweet (Land O'Lakes, FL) and junior center
Chelsea Faulhaber (Spartanburg, SC) tied the game again (33-33). However the game changing play came from Bunch on the next possession. She drilled a three with 12:52 on the clock for JCSU 36-35 advantage over Livingstone.
JCSU maintained a lead for the remainder of the contest after the long-range shot from Bunch. She hit four three-pointers in the second half alone.
Bunch ended with a game-high 30 points, including six three pointers in the contests. Brent chipped in a double-double of 13 points and 12 boards. The Golden Bulls out-rebounded Livingstone 45-32 for the game.
The Golden Bulls return to action on Monday, February 17th against Saint Augustine's University. Game time is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. at Emery Gymnasium in Raleigh, NC.
