Nov. 21, 2009

Final Stats

FAYETTEVILLE - Call Fayetteville State's 86-56 win over Lincoln (Pa.) Eva Patterson- Heath's blueprint.

The first-year head coach wants the Broncos women to play stingy, aggressive defense and an up-tempo, in-your-face style of offense.

FSU (1-1) had four players score in double figures and limited the Lions (1-2) to 25.7 percent shooting in its home opener at Capel Area on Saturday.

"The intensity was good," Patterson-Heath said. "That's the way we want to play."

The Broncos rebounded from a season-opening loss at Francis Marion on Wednesday, by forcing the Lions into 31 turnovers.

"After that loss on Wednesday and us having 51 turnovers... that was terrible," senior forward Erica Gilley said. "This was a regroup game. This is a game we were supposed to win, to help us get ready for a tough game against Bowie State on Monday."

FSU has won three straight against Lincoln, all by 18 or more points. In their last three home-opening games, the Broncos are averaging 79.3 points.

"We don't want to lose at home," said Gilley, who scored nine points and grabbed seven rebounds. "We don't' want to lose anywhere, but losing at home is a lot worse than losing somewhere else."

Added Patterson-Heath: "It's always sweeter to be playing at home. I think the fans helped out a lot."

Gilley, LaQuasha Jordan and L'Oreal Price spurred the Broncos on a 27-8 run, opening up the Broncos' lead to 32-14 with 2:50 left in the first half. FSU led 38-23 at halftime and wouldn't allow Lincoln to get within 15 points again.

"We went into a full-court press and that sparked us," said Patterson-Heath. "They like pressing."

Patterson-Heath, who won more than 500 games in 24 seasons at Red Springs High School, got her first victory at the collegiate level.

"I'm glad to have that part over," she said. "We have to get ready for Bowie because they are going to be totally different."

FSU will open up CIAA play on Monday when Bowie State visits Capel Arena. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m.

The Broncos shot 53.6 percent from the field but made only 52.5 percent of their free throws.

While she was happy with the win, Patterson-Heath said there is still plenty for her team to work on.

"Free throw shooting was dismal and rebounding again was dismal," she said. "I'm concerned about our half-court execution. It's still early and their still learning what we want to do. But, it's going to come."

Price had team-highs in points (18) and rebounds (eight).

Tressa Aughburns, Danielle Russell and Jordan were the other FSU players who scored in double-figures.

Russell, who was injured against Francis Marion, also had four assists and a game-high four steals in 25 minutes.