FAYETTEVILLE - Eva Patterson-Heath wants one thing above all else to define the 2009-10 Fayetteville State women's basketball team.
Defense.
The Broncos (14-7, 10-5 CIAA, 5-1 Western Division) are one step closer to achieving that goal after a 67-65 win over Shaw on Thursday.
SU (14-8, 9-6, 3-3) was held to 40 percent shooting from the field and made just eight of its 22 3-point attempts. The Broncos have held their opponents to 40 percent or below shooting in 15 consecutive games.
"I really want defense to be our forte," Patterson-Heath said. "You have to defend, you have to rebound and you have to hit some free throws down the stretch."
FSU led by as much as 10 in the second half but found itself trailing, 65-64, with less than 40 seconds remaining in the game following a Bears score.
On the ensuing possession, sophomore center Deja Middleton hit a 15-foot jumper that sealed the win and helped FSU capture its third straight victory over the Bears.
L'oreal Price, a native of Raleigh, led FSU with 17 points and was one four Broncos to score in double figures. LaQuasha Jordan added 13 points while Danielle Russell and Middleton contributed 10 each.
Tiffany Haywood and Middleton, the CIAA's top two rebounders, combined for 25 rebounds.
Perhaps the biggest contribution, however, came from junior forward LaPorshe Hokett.
Hokett, who at 5-foot-9 can defend guards and forwards, at times drew the task of keeping the Bears' Tanisha McGaughey in check. McGaughey is fourth in the CIAA in scoring, averaging 15.9 points per game.
While she had 24 points against FSU, McGaughey was just 8-for-28 from the field.
"For the most part we were containing her and forcing her to take a shot she didn't like," said Patterson-Heath. "LaPorshe (Hokett) played within herself, didn't try to do anything she couldn't do and played great containment defense."
Added Hokett: "This was a big game, especially with the CIAA coming up. I knew that she had to be stopped so that's what I did. I had to bring a lot of energy, play defense and step up."
Thursday's game was the fourth of five-straight home contests for FSU. The Broncos close out their home stand against Johnson C. Smith on Saturday. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m.
"I told the girls in the locker room, feel good at this moment," said Patterson-Heath. "But when you come out of this locker room be ready for the next opponent. Everything and every game is critical at this point."
Patterson-Heath's team is 10-2 inside Capel Arena this season and has won 16 of its last 19 home games.
The Broncos closed the first half on a 16-3 run and led 36-27 at intermission. Niesha Searles tallied 16 points for SU and Janelle Harrison contributed 13.
