Final Stats

Fayetteville, NC ââ'¬" The Fayetteville State University women's basketball team dropped in the divisional standings after a 68-63 loss to Shaw University on Wednesday, January 28th at Felton J. Capel Arena. FSU moves to 11-10 overall, 5-5 in conference, and 2-2 in the Southern Division.

Fayetteville State and the Lady Bears played to draw after two quarters of action. FSU outscored Shaw 18-15 in the first, and then Shaw ended the second quarter with a 14-11 advantage. At the break, the score was knotted up at 29-29.

Sophomore forward Courtney Best (Raleigh, NC) led the Lady Broncos with 11 points and eight rebounds in the first half. Fayetteville State shot 33% (12-36) from the field in the opening.

The Lady Bears created some distance with a 19-9 third quarter. Shaw outscored the Lady Broncos 8-3 off turnovers and 12-8 in the paint in the third.

FSU faced a deficit throughout the entirety of the fourth quarter. Two free throws from Kaula Jacks put Shaw up 56-45 with 5:55 remaining in the game. Junior forward Vernessa Hinnant (Selma, NC) and Best led the charge on an 11-2 run to bring Fayetteville State within a possession (58-56) with 3:29 left to play.

Despite the run, Shaw managed to maintain a lead and close out the game with solid free throw shooting down the stretch. FSU outscored the Lady Bears 18-10 in the paint and 13-2 off turnovers in the fourth.

Best concluded the contest with a game and season-high 28 points, along with 10 rebounds and three assists. Hinnant chipped in 13 points, seven steals, and five rebounds. Senior center Bria Robinson (Belmont, NC) added 11 boards, six points, and two blocks.

Four Lady Bears scored double figures led by Tabatha Anderson with a unique double-double of 17 points and 10 turnovers.

FSU returns to action on Saturday, January 30th against Saint Augustine's University. Game time is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. at Emery Gymnasium in Raleigh, NC.