JCSU Women Struggles in 76-67 Loss at Fayetteville State

By K.C. CULLER

JCSU SID

FAYETTEVILLE, NC – Fayetteville State had four players score in double-figures and shot 53.8% from the field in a 76-67 upset win over Johnson C. Smith University in women’s basketball action from Capel Arena on Saturday afternoon.

In the first quarter, both teams started strong, trading baskets over the first five minutes of the game. With the score tied at 9-9, JCSU then went up 12-9 after Asha Jordan (Monroe, N.C.) provided two free throws after being fouled at the 3:45 mark.

FSU then rallied to close the quarter, going on a 9-3 run to take the 21-15 lead after the first quarter.

The homestanding Broncos continued to pour it on in the second quarter, racing out to a 29-17 lead. JCSU then went on a 9-2 spurt to close to within 31-26 gap capped by a Jasmine Carter (Dacula, Ga.) three-pointer at the 2:08 mark. Following a free throw from FSU’s Shantel Bennett, Carter drilled another from distance to make it 32-29 with 1:30 before the break. FSU then got the next two baskets, one from Bennett and then a buzzer beating jumper from Breona Jones to take the 36-29 lead into halftime.

In the third quarter, the Golden Bulls started strong, going on a 9-2 lead to tie the game at 38-38 following a basket from Kendall Adams (Opelika, Ala.) at the 7:54 mark. The Broncos would respond and would eventually build their lead back to as many as seven points (51-44) by the end of the quarter.

In the fourth, FSU built the lead to as many as 12 points on two separate occasions. JCSU was able to trim the Bronco lead to just four points (69-65) following a layup from Jordan, who was fouled on the play. Her free throw made it a two-possession game, but FSU was able to make their free throws down the stretch to take the 76-67 win.

As a team, JCSU shot 42.3% from the field on a 22-of-52 effort. The Golden Bulls were efecient from beyond the arc, hitting for 7-of-16 on the afternoon. Individually, Jasmine Carter led the way with 22 points while Jordan had 17. Monique Hall (Melbourne, Fla.) also scored in double-figures, finishing with 13.

Shantel Bennett led FSU with 22 points while teammate Courtney Best had 19. Yakima Clifton and Breona Jones were the other Broncos in double-digits, finishing with 15 and 10 points, respectively.

The loss drops JCSU to 10-6 overall, 2-3 in CIAA play and 0-1 in Southern Division action while Fayetteville State now stands at 5-9, 1-5 and 1-0 in league play.