Jan. 23, 2010
Final Stats
FAYETTEVILLE - Tatina Ellis' 3-pointer with 19 seconds remaining helped give Saint Paul's College a 75-73 win over Fayetteville State on Saturday.
It was the Broncos' first loss inside Capel Arena this season.
Ellis and Juantelle Cook had 22 points each and helped SPC (4-11, 3-8 CIAA) snap a five-game losing streak to FSU.
The Broncos (10-5, 6-3 CIAA) led 41-31 at halftime thanks to 14 points off turnovers and 10 second-chance points. Despite the 10-point halftime advantage, FSU Head Coach Eva Patterson-Heath said she knew the Tigers would make a run.
"I don't think we were in control in the first half at all," she said. "Our half-court offense has been a thorn all year. Until we can get that corrected we're going to be shooting ourselves in the foot."
Tiffany Haywood had 20 points and 18 rebounds giving her five straight double-doubles. Junior guard LaQuasha Jordan set her career high for the second time in four games with 20 points.
SPC used a 24-8 second-half run to take a 66-57 lead with just under six minutes remaining in the game.
The teams traded baskets for the next few minute. FSU got within one point with less than a minute remaining. On the game's final possession FSU had a chance to tie but couldn't get a shot off, giving SPC the win.
Deja Middleton had seven points, seven rebounds and four blocks for the Broncos while Danielle Russell added nine points, nine rebounds and six assists.
On Monday, the Broncos will begin a three-game road trip with a 5:30 p.m. contest at Elizabeth City State. FSU plays at Shaw on Saturday and at Johnson C. Smith on Feb. 1 before returning home for a tilt with division-foe Livingstone on Feb. 4.
"It's tough from now on," said Patterson-Heath. "We want to take care of home, but we didn't do enough tonight to take care of it. But, from here on out, every game is tough."
Patterson-Heath and FSU have won five straight against ECSU dating back to the 2007-08 season. Over that span, FSU is averaging 87.2 points per game against the Vikings.
