FAYETTEVILLE, NC --The Fayetteville State women's basketball team got a 32-point performance from the bench on the way to a 64-50 win over the Shaw Bears at home Wednesday.
The Broncos (5-4, 1-0 CIAA) had two players score in double figures, led by Imani Elliott, who had 12 points and three steals. Keayna McLaughlin added 11 points, six rebounds and four assists and Morgan Graham added eight points, five steals and three blocks.
Fayetteville State out-rebounded Shaw (4-5, 0-2 CIAA) 45-34 in Wednesday's game, led by nine boards from London Thompson. The Broncos also grabbed 18 offensive rebounds and scored 21 second chance points.
The Fayetteville State defense was effective at taking away the basketball in Wednesday's game, forcing 23 Shaw turnovers while committing 19. Those takeaways turned into 24 points on the offensive end of the floor. Graham's five steals led the way individually for the Broncos.
How It Happened
After falling behind 16-11, Fayetteville State went on a 5-0 run with 1:10 left in the first quarter, culminating in a bucket from Amina Miles, to tie the game at 16, a score that would hold for the rest of the period. Fayetteville State did most of its first quarter damage in the paint, scoring eight of its 16 points close to the basket.
Shaw then took a 25-21 lead before Fayetteville State responding by going on a 10-0 run, highlighted by a three from Elliott, to take a 31-25 lead, a score that would hold until halftime. Fayetteville State dominated in the paint, scoring eight of its 15 points close to the basket.
Fayetteville State continued to preserve its halftime lead before going on an 8-0 run to expand its lead further to 43-34 with six seconds to go in the third, a score which remained until the end of the third quarter. Fayetteville State played well near the basket, scoring six of its 12 points in the paint.
Fayetteville State kept widening that lead, expanding it to 53-41 before going on a 5-0 run to grow the lead to 58-41 with 3:06 to go in the contest. The Bears narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Broncos still cruised the rest of the way for the 64-50 win. Fayetteville State took advantage of its opportunities in the post, scoring 14 of its 21 points in the paint.
Game Notes
» The Broncos held the Bears to only 32.1 percent shooting from the field.
» Fayetteville State never trailed in the second half on its way to victory.
» Fayetteville State recorded 16 total assists in the game.
» The Fayetteville State bench made an impact by scoring 32 points to its scoring output.
» Fayetteville State had a 45-34 edge on the boards in the win.
» The Fayetteville State defense forced 23 turnovers.
» Fayetteville State cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 18 offensive boards in the game.
» Imani Elliott led the Broncos with 12 points.
» Fayetteville State got a game-high nine rebounds from London Thompson.
