Feb. 23, 2007
Box Score
Coach Eric Tucker saw two different Fayetteville State Lady Bronco Basketball teams against St. Augustine's College on Thursday, February 22nd inside Emery Gymnasium. Both teams had the same players, but the team in the first half allowed the Lady Falcons to shoot 66.7 percent (18-27) from the field, including 3 for 4 shooting behind the three point line. However, the team in the second half caused 29 turnovers, increased their shooting percentage by 11 percent compared to the first half, and earned a 104-91 victory.
In the first half, the Lady Falcons' enthusiastic play was too much for Fayetteville State to match. St. Augustine's high first-half shooting percentage (66.7 percent) can be attributed to their ability to score inside. The Lady Falcons outscored Fayetteville State inside the paint 22-14. St. Augustine Senior Valicia Brown led all scorers at halftime with 13 points. The Lady Falcons went into the locker room up 51-41, and very confident in front of their home crowd for their senior night.
The Lady Broncos came into this game leading the CIAA conference in points (averaging 80.7), steals (averaging 18.7), and offensive rebounds (averaging 22.8). The second half showcased the conference-leading Lady Broncos. Fayetteville State battled back midway through the period; after a Passion Phillips three pointer, the Lady Broncos were down 63-57 with 12:58 remaining. FSU continued going inside to sophomore forward Chelsea Jeter. After a Jeter lay-up, a few forced turnovers, and five-of-six shooting from the free throw line, the score was tied at 68 with 8:06 left to play. Senior Rebecca Charles scored a lay-up off a St. Augustine turnover that was the beginning of a 20-3 Lady Broncos' run that last until the 4:35 mark. With FSU up 83-71, the team continued forcing turnovers and going inside to score. Fayetteville State forced 48 total turnovers, scored 25 second half points from the free throw line (41 attempts), and 26 points inside the paint. The Lady Bronco lead grew to 16 with less than three minutes remaining. Eventually time expired and Fayetteville State was victorious 104-91.
FSU had four players finish with double figures in points. Jocabia Lucas put in another solid performance coming off the bench, scoring 18 points. Chelsea Jeter contributed on both ends of the floor with 22 points, 10 rebounds, four steals, and three blocks. Jamara McMillan led the team in scoring with a game-high 23 points. In her last game inside Emery Gymnasium as a Lady Falcon, senior LaConya Polk had a team-high 19 points and 13 rebounds.
With the loss, St. Augustine falls to 6-21 overall and 4-16 in the CIAA. The Lady Broncos improve to 17-9 overall and 13-6 in the CIAA with their last game before the tournament to be played n Salisbury, NC against Livingstone College, Saturday, February 24th. Tip-off is schedule for 5:30 p.m.
