RALEIGH, N.C. – Facing a 24-point deficit in the fourth quarter, the Shaw University women's basketball battled back to cut the deficit single digits but the Lady Bears fell in a deciding () frame to rival Saint Augustine's University in a Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Southern Division matchup Saturday afternoon inside Emery Gymnasium.

The loss extends the Lady Bears skid to five-games as Shaw falls to 6-13 overall, 2-8 in the CIAA and 2-4 in the South. SAU improves to 8-10 on the year, 3-5 in the league and 3-2 in the South.

Junior guard Ariana Fleming (Newark, DE) paced Shaw with 19 points and three rebounds while senior guard Dejoria "DJ" Howard (Orangeburg, SC) added 14 points and two boards. The Lady Bears never really found its offensive groove throughout the contest which ultimately led to a shooting percentage of 30-percent (17-56) while SAU connected 22-of-59 shots (37-percent) from the field.

Shaw scored the game's first basket on a layup from Kennedy but the Lady Falcons went on to score nine unanswered points to take a 9-2 lead with 4:50 remaining. Both teams traded baskets, but SAU caught fire using a 12-3 spread to take a 21-9 stand over the Lady Bears at the end of the period.

A 6-0 run for the Lady Bears pulled Shaw within six (21-15) to start the second quarter. The Lady Falcons then grew its lead back up to double digits ignited by a 3-point play at the 5:36 mark. SAU maintained control with its largest lead of the stanza at 13-points before closing out the first half with a 39-26 lead over Shaw at halftime.

In the third quarter, the Lady Falcons ballooned to a 22-point lead after 13-4 run in the first seven minutes of play. A layup from Fleming started a mini run for Shaw but the Lady Bears trailed 52-35 at the end of the quarter after being outscored 13-10.

Facing a 24-point deficit in the fourth, Shaw managed to trim the Lady Falcons' lead to nine points twice down the stretch thanks to a 15-0 run but SAU reeled off the Lady Bears run with a 8-3 spurt, in which seven points came from the charity stripe for the win.

SAU was led by Kaaliya Williams with 18 points and six rebounds while Milequa Eason chipped in 15 points and Quiera Gilmore contributed 10 points.

The Lady Bears will return to action Monday, Jan. 27 with a home contest and division matchup with Winston-Salem State University. Tip-off is slated for 6 p.m. inside C.C. Spaulding Gymnasium.

For the most up-to-date information on Shaw athletics and its 13 varsity sport teams, visit www.shawbears.com.