Feb. 1, 2008

Final Stats

Johnson C. Smith University traveled north to Lawrenceville, Virginia to take on the Lady Tigers of Saint Paul's College (8-10, 3-8 CIAA) in a cross-divisional match-up. JCSU's roller-coaster month ended in a heart-breaking defeat to SPC by a score of 56-54 in overtime. This was the Lady Golden Bulls' second consecutive overtime contest (JCSU defeated Bowie State 64-61 on Saturday).

The Lady Tigers opened the game going on a 12-2 run taking a quick double-digit lead with 16:19 remaining. JCSU bounced back rather quickly and grabbed the lead back with within five minutes. There would be three more lead changes and two more tied scores before the first stanza was over with. SPC's Tatiana Ellis nailed four three-pointers, giving the Lady Tigers the 29-28 advantage at intermission.

With SPC still holding on to the lead, the Lady Golden Bulls scratched back in the second half narrowing SPC's lead to 49-47 with 2:34 left in the game. With 1:48 standing on the clock, Kyria Buford (Charlotte, N.C.) drilled a lay-up in which she was fouled. Buford connected on the free-throw and knotted the score at 51-51. Katrina Wright attempted to win the game with 26 seconds remaining. Unfortunately, her shot missed the basket and Buford came down with the rebound. Now JCSU had a chance to win. After a quick timeout to talk it over, Janai Jackson (Bowie, Md.) took a gamble at winning the game, but her try fell short of the mark and overtime was inevitable.

The Lady Golden Bulls (12-7,7-3 CIAA) struck first in overtime scoring the first basket and taking the lead. SPC's Alicia Brown immediately swung back converting on a lay-up tying the game again. With 29.6 seconds left on the clock, Wright knocked down two free-throws taking the lead once again and never relinquishing it to win the game, 56-54.

Buford once again led the JCSU offensive attack with 16 points. She also had eight rebounds. Jackson hauled in her first double-double of the season with 12 points and 11 rebounds.

Notable standouts for the Lady Tigers are Tatiana Ellis whom led all scorers with 24 points along with Katrina Wright whom had 11 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. Ellis shot over fifty percent from behind the three-point arc hitting on 7 of 13 three pointers.

Johnson C. Smith moves on to host divisional foe Livingstone College on Saturday, February 2, 2008. Game time is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. in the Jack S. Brayboy Gymnasium.