Slow Start Dooms JCSU Women in 66-61 Loss to Virginia Union

Charlotte, N.C. (Dec. 18, 2017) – The Johnson C. Smith University women's basketball team started slow, going just 1-of-18 to start the game and could not recover in a 66-61 CIAA loss to nationally-ranked Virginia Union on Monday afternoon in Brayboy Gym.

After going up 3-0 on an Asha Jordan (Monroe, N.C.) three-pointer, the Panthers scored 15 unanswered points to take a 15-3 lead with 2:20 left in the first quarter.  Virginia Union then stretched the lead to 17-5 with 1:34 left in the opening stanza following a Kishona Sutton free throw.  The Golden Bulls would close the scoring with baskets from Malia Rivers (Pageland, S.C.) and Jasmine Carter (Dacula, Ga.) to pull to within 17-9 at the end of the quarter.

In the second quarter, JCSU trimmed the deficit to 20-11 but Virginia Union went on a 17-6 run capped by a Peyton Evans three-pointer that gave the Panthers their largest lead (20 points) at 37-17 with 2:40 before the halftime break.  JCSU would go on a 6-0 spurt to close the gap to 37-23 thanks to a Monique Hall (Melbourne, Fla.) basket and two scores from Shanice Neita (Toronto, Ontario).

By the end of the third quarter, JCSU was able to cut the VUU lead to 52-42 after two Neita free throws, but a Shareka McNeill layup gave the Panthers the 54-42 lead heading into the final frame.

In the fourth quarter, JCSU began to make a move.  JCSU steadily cut into the VUU lead, trimming the deficit to as few as four points (65-61 after two
Maiya Green (San Antonio, Tex.) free throws. The Golden Bulls were able to force Virginia Union into turnovers using a relentless press to climb back into the game.

JCSU would get no closer than four points, as the VUU defense kept JCSU from scoring the rest of the way, eventually taking the 66-61 win.

As a team, JCSU shot just 31.1% (23-of-74) from the field and 3-of-17 (17.6%) from distance.  The Golden Bulls went 12-of-17 from the free throw line, good for 70.6%.

The visiting Panthers managed 49.0% from the field on a 25-of-51 effort while knocking down 8-of-16 three-pointers (50.0%). The Panthers finished 8-of-15 (53.3%) from the line in the win.

Individually for JCSU, Jasmine Carter led the way with 12 points and six rebounds while Maiya Green had 10 points.  Freshman La'Zarea Bowens (Knightdale, N.C.) had 10 rebounds to lead JCSU while also adding four points.  Jamia Johnson (Durham, N.C.) had nine boards and two points while Kendall Adams (Opelika, Ala.) and Monique Hall each had nine points.

Shareka McNeill led VUU with 19 points while teammate Rachael Pecota added 10 points and eight rebounds.

The loss drops JCSU to 9-3 on the year and 2-1 in CIAA play while Virginia Union improves to 10-1, 3-0 in the CIAA.

The Golden Bulls will have a short turnaround, traveling to Glenville State for a nonconference matchup on Tuesday, Dec. 19. Tipoff from the Waco Center is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.