(RALEIGH, NC)- Poor shooting and turnovers – especially in the first half – led to Shaw's defeat at the hands of visiting Elizabeth City State, 74-67. 

Shaw (10-7, 3-3 CIAA) committed 13 turnovers in the first and could only convert on 22 percent of their shots.  ECSU (11-4, 4-1 CIAA) took advantage with 17 points off of turnovers in the first half alone and built a 38-22 lead at halftime.

Shaw held their own for nearly half of the first half.  With 11:36 left in the period, Shemieka Brown hit a three to tie the score at 11.  Over the next six minutes, the Lady Vikings outscored the Lady Bears 15-2 and built a 26-13 lead when Briana Glover hit a three.

The Lady Bears then reeled off seven unanswered points, including another three-pointer from Brown, cutting the deficit to six with 3:18 left in the half.  The Lady Vikings, though, closed out the half on a 12-2 run of their own, going into the locker room at the half with a 38-22 lead.

In the second, Elizabeth City State immediately pushed their lead to 24, with a 10-2 run to open the second half.  For much of the period, the Lady Vikings maintained their 20-plus point lead, but over the seven minutes of the game, Shaw both held on to the ball and found a shooting touch.

With 7:10 left, the Lady Vikings equaled their biggest lead when Shaquella Johnson hit a pair of free throws to set the score at 66-42.  The Lady Bears then clawed their way back into the game, outscoring ECSU 20-4 over the next six and a half minutes.  With 20 seconds left in the game, Brown hit a layup to cut the Lady Viking lead to eight, 70-62.  But the scoring rush was too little too late for the Lady Bears.

Brittney Spencer led the Lady Bears in both scoring and assists with 17 and four, respectively.  Kyria Buford had a double-double for Shaw with 12 points and 16 rebounds.  Jackie Sanders had 11 points, and Brown finished the game with nine.

Kenyatta Gill paced the Lady Vikings with 24 points and ten rebounds.  Shatara Jackson had 16 points and led ECSU with five assists.

The Lady Bears return to action Thursday, January 20 when they travel to Lincoln, PA to take on the Lions at 5:30 p.m.  On Saturday, they travel across town to Saint Augustine's for a contest that tips at 2:00 p.m.  They return home Saturday, February 5 to host Johnson C. Smith at 6:00 p.m.

Photos:  Kyria Buford (left) goes up for a jumper in the first half of Shaw's loss to ECSU.  Brittney Spencer (right) goes up for a layup during Shaw's second-half comeback.