Charlotte, NC – The Fayetteville State women's basketball team, who had a 0-5 start, now has two consecutive victories after defeating Johnson C. Smith 71-58 for a 1-0 CIAA start in the Brayboy Gymnasium in Charlotte, North Carolina.
 
Katisha Hyman (Chocowinity, NC) and Shantel Bennett (Sanford, NC) combined for 41 points as the Broncos (2-5 overall) forced 31 turnovers for 25 points and made 70.4% (19 of 27) of its free throws. Hyman led the game with 22 points with 6-of-15 field goals, three three-pointers and 7-of-8 shots from the free throw line. She also dished out six assists. Bennett followed with 19 points with 7-of-14 from the field with one three, 4-of-5 free throws and a team high seven rebounds.
 
Fayetteville State led the first period by one (17-16) and held a close 34-31 halftime advantage over the 4-2 (overall) Golden Bulls (1-2 CIAA). The Broncos opened the second half with a 6-0 run (for a 42-34 lead) and closed it with a 7-0 run for a 52-42 lead.
 
FSU would keep a double-digit lead for most of the fourth quarter, except for when JCSU came within nine points (62-53 with 4:35 left) and eight points (64-56) with 3:08 left. The Broncos reached its largest lead of the game (71-56) with 1:19 left in the game.
 
Emani Clough led the Johnson C. Smith with 13 points while Aubrianna Bonner and DaNajah Porter scored ten each.
 
Fayetteville State defeated Elizabeth City State on Tuesday (58-47) before the Thanksgiving break for its first win of the season. With today's divisional victory, the Broncos will host Livingstone on Monday December 9^th in the Capel Arena at 5:30 p.m.