JCSU Women Uses Big Second Half to Push Past Shaw, 78-60
Raleigh, N.C. (Feb. 3, 2018) – Johnson C. Smith University used a big second half and used pressure defense to down Shaw University in a CIAA Southern Division women's basketball game at Spaulding Gym in Raleigh, N.C. on Saturday afternoon.
The Golden Bulls jumped on the homestanding Bears early in the first, bolting to a 6-3 lead at the 7:17 mark. JCSU would stretch the lead to as many as four points (11-7) following an
Asha Jordan (Monroe, N.C.) three-pointer, but Shaw would score two straight baskets, giving them the 14-13 lead with 1:10 left. JCSU regained the lead on a
Malia Rivers (Pageland, S.C.) jumper, which made it 15-14, a lead JCSU would carry into the second quarter.
In the second, Shaw went on an 10-3 run to lead 24-18 at the 7:09 mark. JCSU battled back to tie it at 26-26, but Shaw reeled off four straight points to lead 30-26. JCSU would tie it at 30-30 after two layups from
La'Zarea Bowens (Knightdale, N.C.), but Shaw scored late to take the 32-30 lead into the half.
JCSU would blow it open in the third quarter, building a 52-44 lead and never trailed again. JCSU's lead would balloon to 12 points at the 7:33 mark of the fourth quarter following another layup from Jordan. Shaw would close to within 12 points (67-55) after a Tahniya Sweatt free throw but would get no closer. Down the stretch, JCSU held off the Bears, taking the 78-60 win.
As a team, JCSU shot 40.8% from the field (31-of-76) and outrebounded Shaw 46-32. JCSU also was able to force 29 turnovers, converting those miscues into 32 points.
Individually,
Jasmine Carter (Dacula, Ga.) had 19 points, 15 of which she scored in the second half. Freshman teammate La'Zarea Bowens, playing close to home, had 17 points and nine rebounds while senior
Kendall Adams (Opelika, Ala.) also had nine rebounds to go along with 18 points.
The win improves JCSU to 13-7 overall, 5-4 in CIAA play and 3-2 in the Southern Division while Shaw drops to 5-17, 2-9 in the CIAA and 1-4 in the division.
