Dec. 19, 2011

Final Stats

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - A valiant comeback effort fell a tad short as the Mt. Olive Lady Trojans managed to hold off the Fayetteville State Lady Broncos in a 57-54 victory at Felton J. Capel Arena on Monday night.

Je'Lena Robertson (So., Houston, Texas) scored eight of the Lady Broncos' first 12 points of the second half to spark a 20-4 run that brought Fayetteville State (6-3) within one point, 43-42, with 11:11 remaining in the game, virtually erasing a 17-point halftime deficit.

The Lady Broncos, who were behind by as many as 20 points in the first half, took the lead, 50-48, on SheQuitia Manning's (Sr., Capital Heights, Md.) put-back with 6:50 to go, capping six straight points from Fayetteville State after it had fallen behind by four following a clutch 3-pointer from Kirksten Mitchell.

But Mt. Olive (5-3), which improved to 5-2 on the season against CIAA opponents, scored eight of the next 10 points to take a 56-52 lead with 3:32 to go. The Lady Broncos got back within two, 56-54, with 32.6 seconds left, but could get no closer.

Robertson led the Lady Broncos with 14 points while CIAA Newcomer of the Week Tashama Banner (Sr., Fayetteville, N.C.) had another strong all-around effort, finishing with 13 points, 10 rebounds and four steals. Fayetteville State, after being down 39-22 at the break, outscored Mt. Olive 32-18 in the second period.

Mt. Olive was led by Andrea Jones and Mitchell, who each had 11 points. Tamara Nesmith added 10 points and a game-high 14 rebounds.

Fayetteville State returns to action at 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 5 in its CIAA opener at Bowie State. Fayetteville State returns home on Jan. 7 for a 5:30 p.m. tip against Chowan.