FAYETTEVILLE,  N.C. - A late fourth quarter push was not enough for the Johnson C. Smith University women's basketball, dropping a 73-61 loss to the Fayetteville State University Broncos on Saturday afternoon at Capel Arena.

Johnson C. Smith (7-15, 4-11 CIAA) placed three players in double figures and controlled the glass, out rebounding Fayetteville State 48-35, including a 20-12 edge on the offensive boards. The Golden Bulls turned those chances into 15 second chance points and scored 36 points in the paint.

La'niya Simes led the way with 19 points on 8-of-18 shooting in 39 minutes. Salote Franklin added 17 points and 18 rebounds for a double-double, including eight offensive boards. Egypt Moore-Colman chipped in 15 points and four steals off the bench.

After trailing 52-47 midway through the fourth quarter, JCSU pulled within 52-50 on Simes' layup at the 7:44 mark. Later, back to back jumpers by Simes trimmed the deficit to 63-59 with 2:29 remaining, capping a steady push that kept the Golden Bulls within striking distance.

Franklin's jumper with 1:04 left cut the margin to 65-61, but the Golden Bulls could not get another field goal. Fayetteville State (18-3, 12-2 CIAA) answered with a short basket and then converted 8 of 8 free throws in the final 35 seconds to seal the outcome.

JCSU shot 40 percent from the field 26 of 65 but struggled from long range, making just 1 of 9 from three-point range. The Golden Bulls also went 8 of 16 at the free-throw line.