BLUEFIELD, WV --The Shaw women's basketball team fought back from a 10-point deficit at 39-29 with 2:56 left in the third quarter to knock off the Bluefield State Big Blue 57-54 on the road Thursday

The Lady Bears (5-4, 1-1) had three players score in double figures, led by Zaniyyah Ross-Barnes, who secured a triple-double with 14 points, 10 rebounds and 10 blocks. Alexis Radcliff tacked on 13 points and Naomi Winston-Ellis chipped in as well with 10 points.

Shaw forced 17 Bluefield State turnovers. The  Lady Bears turned those takeaways into 18 points on the offensive end of the floor. Tre'Zha Muhammad led the way individually with three steals.

How It Happened

After falling behind 2-0, Shaw went on an 8-0 run with 8:32 left in the first quarter, culminating in a bucket from Ross-Barnes, to take an 8-2 lead. The Lady Bears then added two points to that lead by the end of the period and entered the quarter break with a 15-7 advantage. Shaw did most of its first quarter damage in the paint, scoring eight of its 15 points close to the basket.

The Lady Bears surrendered their lead in the second quarter and entered halftime with the score tied 23-23. Shaw dominated in the paint, scoring six of its eight points close to the basket.

After intermission, Bluefield State snatched a 40-31 lead before Shaw answered back by going on a 6-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Muhammad, to trim its deficit to 40-37 with 1:17 to go in the third. Bluefield State countered and stretched its lead to 42-38 heading into the fourth. Shaw knocked down two three-pointers in the quarter to score six of its 15 total points.

Shaw came out of the third quarter break clicking on all cylinders, going on a 6-0 run, finished off by Elisha Quinn's three, to seize a 44-42 lead with 7:13 to go in the contest. The Lady Bears kept expanding the margin and coasted the rest of the way for the 57-54 win. Shaw fired away from deep in the quarter, knocking down three shots to account for nine of its 19 points.

Game Notes

» Zaniyyah Ross-Barnes had an amazing all-around day, recording 14 points, 10 rebounds and 10 blocks for a triple-double in the contest.
» The Lady Bears held Bluefield State to only 25.4 percent shooting from the field.
» Shaw had a great day defensively, holding Bluefield State to 15 percent from beyond the arc on 26 attempts.
» The Shaw defense forced 17 turnovers.
» The Bears were active in affecting shots on the defensive end, recording 12 blocks as a team.
 

Up Next

The Lady Bears will step away from CIAA action as they head to Florida to face Lynn University in Boca Raton, FL.  Tip-off is scheduled for 2 PM.