RALEIGH, NC -- The Shaw women's basketball team went into halftime tied 32-32 with Lincoln (PA), but could not pull away in the second half and fell 65-58 to the Lions at historic C.C. Spaulding Gymnasium Saturday.
The Lady Bears (13-13, 6-8 CIAA) had two players score in double figures, led by Makenzie Pollard, who had 17 points and seven rebounds. Tanayja London added 15 points and Alondra Jordan added eight points off the bench.
Shaw took advantage of excellent ball movement in Saturday's game, piling up 15 assists on 24 made field goals. Individually, Rita James dished out the most for the Lady Bears with five assists and Tanashia Hairston also added three assists of her own.
Shaw's defense held Lincoln (PA) to only 39.3 percent shooting from the field.
How It Happened
After playing to a 10-10 tie early in the game, Shaw went on a 9-0 run with 1:26 left in the first quarter, culminating in a bucket from Inari Jones, to take a 19-10 lead, a score that would hold for the rest of the period. Shaw capitalized on five Lincoln (PA) turnovers in the period, turning them into seven points on the other end of the floor.
Shaw kept its first quarter lead intact before going on a 5-0 run starting at the 6:34 mark in the second period, highlighted by a bucket from Pollard, to increase its lead to 25-15. The Lions then battled back to even it up at 32-32 heading into halftime. Shaw was strong from deep in the period, knocking down two three-point shots to account for six of its 13 points.
After intermission, Lincoln (PA) snatched a 39-36 lead before Shaw answered back by going on a 5-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Pollard, to grab a 41-39 lead with 3:43 to go in the third. Lincoln (PA) responded to seize a 46-45 lead entering the fourth quarter. Shaw's bench made the most of its minutes in the period, as non-starters totaled five of the team's 13 third-quarter points.
Lincoln (PA) kept widening its lead in the fourth, constructing a 65-53 advantage before Shaw went on a 5-0 run, finished off by London's jumper, to shrink the deficit to 65-58 with zero seconds to go in the contest, a score which would hold for the rest of the game.
Game Notes
» The Lady Bears held the Lions to only 39.3 percent shooting from the field.
» The Lady Bears put on a passing clinic, recording an assist on 62 percent of made baskets.
» The Shaw defense forced 13 turnovers.
» Makenzie Pollard led the Lady Bears with a game-high 17 points.
» Shaw got seven rebounds from both Makenzie Pollard and Inari Jones.
Up Next
The Lady Bears conclude the home portion of their schedule against Virginia Union on Wednesday, Feb. 15 at historic C.C. Spaulding Gymnasium. Game time is 6 p.m.
