Head coach Stephen Joyner, Jr. prepares his team to face Chowan on Tuesday, February 25th at 5:00 p.m. in the opening round of the 2014 CIAA Tournament
Box Score Charlotte, NC – The Johnson C. Smith University women's basketball team fell shy of victory with a 62-61 loss to Shaw University on Saturday, February 22nd at Brayboy Gymnasium. JCSU moves to 13-12 overall, 8-8 in the CIAA, and 3-7 in the division; while the Lady Bears improve to 18-8 overall, 12-4 in conference, and 8-2 in the Southern.
The Golden Bulls managed to build a 28-19 lead as time approached the seven minute mark. Senior guard
Marquesha Sparks (San Fernando, CA) hit a jumper with 5:20 on the clock for a 30-22 advantage. The Lady Bears rattled off seven unanswered points to draw within one (30-29). Senior guard
Karnina Bunch (Vicksburg, MS) made a shot on the next possession to break the scoreless drought.
Shaw put together another scoring run before the end of the half for a 37-32 lead with a 30 seconds remaining. Bunch drilled a three pointer for the final score of the period. JCSU trailed 37-35 at the half.
JCSU was able to recapture a lead off a three pointer from Bunch with 14:57 remaining. Verdine Warner tied the game and claimed an advantage for Shaw with two free throws. The Golden Bulls faced a 52-51 deficit after the foul shots. Those shots would also initiate a 10-0 scoring stretch. The Lady Bears were up 62-57 with 2:53 left in the game.
Bunch converted on a layup and the Golden Bulls got a stop on defense. All-CIAA sophomore
Ashley Porter (Winston-Salem, NC) connected on two free throws for a 62-59 score with 1:11 on the clock. Sophomore center
Amena Brent (Chicago, IL) blocked Kaula Jacks on the other end and Sparks got the rebound.
Bunch was fouled driving the lane and made both her free throws. Kamiya Burwell missed a layup for Shaw and Porter snagged the board. With eight seconds on the clock, Bunch fired a last shot attempt that missed the mark.
Shaw shot 42% (11-26) from the floor and out-rebounded JCSU 43-31 in the 62-61 win. For her senior day performance, Bunch recorded a team-high 24 points, along with seven rebounds and three steals. Porter produced 14 points and five boards. Fellow senior Sparks had eight rebounds and seven points.
Senior guard
Deanna Downer (Elberton, GA) dished out a game-high nine assists. Senior forward
Shayla Russell (Bronx, NY) scored on her only field goal of the contest.
The Golden Bulls will enter the CIAA Tournament as the fourth seed out of the Southern Division. Time and opponent will be announced by the CIAA office. JCSU will play at Time Warner Cable Arena on Tuesday, February 25th.
