JCSU Women Takes 68-59 Road Win Over Elizabeth City State

Elizabeth City, N.C. (Feb. 5, 2018) – The Johnson C. Smith University women's basketball team jumped out to a 12-2 lead and never trailed, downing Elizabeth City State 68-59 in a CIAA game at the R.L. Vaughn Center on Monday night.

Playing in their second straight road game, the Golden Bulls bolted to the 12-2 lead at the 3:52 mark after senior Asha Jordan (Monroe, N.C.) buried a three-pointer. The Golden Bulls then held the 16-4 lead, but the Vikings scored four straight to close to 16-8 by the end of the quarter.

ECSU would cut the lead to 18-15 in the second quarter when Jayln Brown connected from long range at the 7:38 mark.  JCSU responded and quickly built the lead back to 13 points (28-15) following a 10-0 spurt that was capped by two Jordan free throws with 3:05 before halftime.  The Vikings scored just four more points the rest of the half, with JCSU taking the 30-19 lead into the break.

JCSU enjoyed its largest lead of the game at 38-20 at the 7:27 mark of the third quarter. ECSU would trim the JCSU lead to 13 points on three different occasions, but JCSU would respond each time, keeping the Vikings at bay.

Down the stretch in the fourth quarter, ECSU was kept at bay, with JCSU enjoying the 56-42 lead with 3:43 left. ECSU did cut the lead to seven points late in the game, with JCSU eventually taking the 68-59 win.

As a team, JCSU shot 41.1% from the field (23-of-56) and held ECSU to just 34.8% (23-of-66) in the win.  La'Zarea Bowens (Knightdale, N.C.) led the Golden Bulls with a career-high 19 points while senior teammate Kendall Adams (Opelika, Ala.) registered the double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds.

The win improves JCSU to 14-7 overall and 6-4 in CIAA play while Elizabeth City State drops to 9-13 overall and 2-8 in league play.

JCSU returns home on Wednesday night, Feb. 7 to host division-leading Fayetteville State in a 5:30 p.m. matchup.