Feb. 12, 2008

Final Stats

Johnson C. Smith University (16-7, 12-3 CIAA) sported pink uniforms courtesy of Russell Athletics in support of the WBCA's "Think Pink Initiative". The Lady Golden Bulls spread the wealth by giving the visiting Lady Falcons pink shoot-around t-shirts. That's not all JCSU gave the Lady Falcons, as SAC left with a 66-39 loss to the Lady Golden Bulls.

Johnson C. Smith remembers vividly how the last contest against Saint Augustine's College turned out. The score at halftime at that time of that contest was 14-8 in favor of JCSU. This time around, Smith came out firing outscoring the Lady Falcons 12-0 to start the game. Before SAC knew it, the score was already 28-8. The Lady Falcons mounted a comeback led by the efforts of Natasha Whitney, going on an 8-0 run to cut the lead to 12 (28-16). By the end of the half, Smith controlled a 19-point lead (39-20). JCSU scored more points in the first half than they did in the entire game of the last meeting.

Smith also knew how good the Lady Falcons can be in the second half. To curtail that, Smith had to keep their up-temp style throughout the entire game and play stout defense. They did just that en route to the 27-point defeat.

Kyria Buford (Charlotte, N.C.), a candidate for CIAA Player of the Year, led the team in scoring once again with 17 points and nine rebounds. All-CIAA candidate Rochelle Bodie (Raleigh, N.C.) grabbed an astounding 13 rebounds in the game. She is inching her way at 1,000 rebounds as she now has 984 rebounds. Bodie also blocked three shots in the contest. Shemika Jones (Largo, Md.), another All-CIAA candidate, shot a blistering 6-of-8 from the floor en route to 12 points, eight rebounds, and five steals.

Freshman sensation Allison Sikes had 12 points and 11 rebounds in the loss. Chanel Kinard chipped in eight points.

JCSU now improves to 16-7 overall and owns the best conference record at 12-3. The loss drops Saint Augustine's to 16-8, 11-4 in league play. Smith regains sole possession of first place in the western division with a 4-1 record while the Lady Falcons fall to 3-3.

JCSU moves on to face Livingstone College on Valentine's Day (Feb. 14) in Salisbury, N.C. Game time is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. in Trent Gymnasium on campus.