Feb. 13, 2010

Final Stats

FAYETTEVILLE - Ugly or not, Fayetteville State head coach Eva Patterson-Heath isn't going to apologize for a CIAA Western Division win.

FSU (15-7, 11-5 CIAA, 6-1 Western Division) came one step closer to repeating as division champions after a 51-42 victory over Johnson C. Smith on Saturday.

"It came down to who wanted it the most," Patterson-Heath said. "These close wins are teaching us to overcome adversity - not just in basketball, but in life."

The Broncos have held their opponents to 40 percent or below shooting in 16 consecutive games.

Sophomore center Deja Middleton had her second consecutive double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Danielle Russell tallied 11 points, three assists and two steals while L'Oreal Price added 10 points.

JCSU led 23-20 at halftime and by as much as six in the first half. Russell and FSU started the second half on a 12-4 run to gain a lead they would never relinquish.

"Against teams that we think we can beat we slack up a little bit," said Russell. "The intensity wasn't there to start the game, but we picked it up in the end."

Saturday's win finished off a five-game home stand for FSU. The Broncos went 4-1 during that stretch and beat their opponents by nearly 10 points per game.

Heading into the final week of the regular season, FSU faces a grueling three-game road stretch. Over the next five days, Patterson-Heath's team will play at Livingstone, at Shaw and at St. Augustine's before hosting a WBCA Pink Zone game against Virginia State on Feb. 20. Tipoff for all games is set for 5:30 p.m.

The game against VSU will also serve as the final home game for a group of successful FSU seniors.

"We just want to keep getting better," said Patterson-Heath. "Getting better at the little things is important for us."

Shacovia Sheppard had her best game since returning to the FSU team two weeks ago. The Charleston, S.C. native scored six points and pulled down four rebounds in only five minutes of action.

"She came in and got some rebounds that were important for us," Patterson-Heath said. "She brought energy and finished well around the basket."

FSU is 11-2 inside Capel Arena this season and has won 17 of its last 20 home games.

Demetria Bell led the Golden Bulls (16-9, 9-9, 3-5) with 10 points and a game-high 14 rebounds.