Final Stats

Post-game interview w/ Walter Mebane

Fayetteville, NC -- The Fayetteville State University women's basketball team dropped their initial CIAA matchup 79-68 in overtime to Chowan University on Tuesday, December 15th at Felton J. Capel Arena. FSU moves to 5-5 overall and 0-1 in the conference; while the Hawks improve to 6-4 overall and 1-0 in conference.

Both teams played to a 21-21 tie at the end of the first two quarters. Fayetteville State and Chowan each scored 12 in the first quarter and nine in the second. The Lady Broncos shot 47 (9-19) from the floor in the opening half, compared to 27% (6-22) from the Hawks.

Junior guard Emerald Smith (Durham, NC) had a team-high seven points for her first half season debut. Senior guard Doreen Richardson (Salisbury, NC) followed with six points.

Chowan ended the third quarter with a 44-41 advantage. The Hawks exploded with an 18-4 run in the first five minutes of the third. At the media timeout with 4:51 on the clock, FSU trailed 39-25. The Lady Broncos rallied with an assortment of scoring including two field goals from sophomore forward Courtney Best (Raleigh, NC).

Fayetteville State closed the gap with a 16-5 run in the last 4:50 of the third.

With 33 seconds remaining in regulation, the Hawks held onto a 62-58 lead. Senior center Bria Robinson (Belmont, NC) made a layup in the paint off an assist from sophomore guard Shamaiya Battle (Fayetteville, NC). The Lady Broncos forced a turnover on the next possession.

Battle drew a foul driving to the basket with 13 seconds on the clock. She made the first and missed the second for a 62-61 deficit. Dhyamond Crenshaw missed two free throws on the other end for the Hawks. Smith went to the foul line with seven ticks to play. She missed both, but grabbed her own offensive rebound.

Smith went back to the line with three seconds left in regulation. She tied the game making the first, but failed to take a lead by missing the second. Chowan did not attempt a shot sending the contest into overtime.

The Hawks dominated the extra frame outscoring FSU 12-0 in the initial three minutes. Chowan concluded the OT period outscoring the Lady Broncos 8-4 in the paint and 5-2 off turnovers.

Four Lady Broncos scored double figures led by Richardson with 18 points, along with five steals. Best added 14 points and four rebounds. Robinson had a double-double of 12 points and 12 boards with two blocks. Smith ended the evening with 10 points off 4-of-6 (66%) from the field.

FSU shot 52% (26-50) from the floor and 60% (14-23) from the free throw line. Chowan hit 42% (22-52) of their shots from the field and connected on 34-of-58 (58%) of their foul shots.

Fayetteville State will jump back into conference action on Thursday, December 17th against defending CIAA Champions Virginia State University. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. at Felton J. Capel Arena.