CHARLOTTE, NC --The Shaw women's basketball team took a 45-44 lead into the fourth quarter, but could not hang on and fell 63-61 to the Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls on the road Saturday.
The Lady Bears (9-16, 6-9) had two players score in double figures, led by D'Ayzha Akinson, who had 13 points and six rebounds. Elisha Quinn tacked on 11 points from the bench and Zaniyyah Ross-Barnes added eight points and three steals.
Shaw collected 33 rebounds in Saturday's game compared to Johnson C. Smith's 31, led by Akinson's six boards.
Shaw forced 13 Johnson C. Smith turnovers. The Lady Bears turned those takeaways into 12 points on the offensive end of the floor. Ross-Barnes' three steals led the way for Shaw.
How It Happened
After falling behind 10-7, Shaw went on a 5-0 run with 3:31 left in the first quarter, culminating in a bucket from Keibra Hopkins, to take a 12-10 lead. The Lady Bears then surrendered that lead and entered the second quarter down 16-15.
Johnson C. Smith kept adding to that lead, building a 20-15 advantage before Shaw went on a 5-0 run to tie the game at 20. The Lady Bears then broke the tie and seized a 29-26 halftime lead. Shaw dominated in the paint, scoring eight of its 14 points close to the basket.
Johnson C. Smith then took a 38-33 lead following intermission before Shaw went on a 9-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Ross-Barnes, to grab a 42-38 lead with 2:39 to go in the third. Before the conclusion of the third period, the Golden Bulls had cut into that lead somewhat, but the Lady Bears still entered the fourth quarter with a 45-44 edge. Shaw played well near the basket, scoring 10 of its 16 points in the paint.
Shaw kept its lead intact before going on a 5-0 run, finished off by Kaylee Milburn's layup, to grow the lead to 56-50 with 4:05 to go in the contest. Johnson C. Smith then asserted control, outscoring the Lady Bears 13-5 the rest of the way to hand Shaw the 63-61 loss. Shaw took advantage of its opportunities in the post, scoring eight of its 16 points in the paint.
Game Notes
» The Lady Bears shared the ball well, recording an assist on 65 percent of made baskets.
» The Shaw bench made an impact by adding 24 points to its scoring output.
» Shaw lost despite a 33-31 rebounding advantage.
» The Shaw defense forced 13 turnovers.
» D'Ayzha Akinson led the Lady Bears with 13 points.
» Shaw got six rebounds from both D'Ayzha Akinson and Kaylee Milburn.
Up Next
Shaw heads to Richmond, VA for battle with the VUU Panthers Monday, February 17. Tip off is slated for 5:30 PM.
