FAYETTEVILLE, NC --The Fayetteville State women's basketball team went into the half beating Livingstone 28-27, but could not pull away in the second half and fell 56-48 to the Blue Bears at home Wednesday.
The Broncos (10-6, 6-2) had two players score in double figures, led by Rasheka Simmons, who had 10 points and six rebounds. Imani Elliott added 10 points off the bench and Amina Miles added nine points and six rebounds.
The Blue Bears (5-11, 2-6) also had two players score in double figures, led by Jamiah Lane, who had 12 points and eight rebounds. Alyssa Boyce added 11 points and Dre Alexander added 9 points and five rebounds.
Miles pulled down three offensive rebounds to pace an offense that racked up second chance opportunities for Fayetteville State, grabbing 14 boards and turning them into 10 second chance points.
The Fayetteville State defense held Livingstone shooters to just 36.4 percent from the field, including 21.4 percent from three-point range.
How It Happened
After falling behind 10-7, Fayetteville State went on a 9-0 run with 3:31 left in the first quarter to take a 16-10 lead. The Broncos then lost some of that lead, but still entered the quarter break with an 18-14 advantage. Fayetteville State got a great contribution from its bench in the period, as non-starters accounted for 11 of its 18 total points.
Livingstone rallied to take a 27-23 lead before Fayetteville State went on a 5-0 run starting at the 1:24 mark in the second period, highlighted by a bucket from Miles, to take a 28-27 lead, a score that would hold until halftime. Fayetteville State dominated in the paint, scoring six of its 10 points close to the basket.
Livingstone then took a 34-29 lead following intermission before Fayetteville State went on a 5-0 run to tie things up at 34 with 3:13 to go in the third. The Broncos could not advance their rally further as the Blue Bears took a 40-38 lead into the fourth quarter. Fayetteville State took advantage of seven Livingstone turnovers in the quarter, scoring four points off of takeaways.
Fayetteville State could not pull any closer in the fourth, losing by a final of 56-48. Fayetteville State got a boost from its bench in the period, with non-starters scoring five of its 10 total points.
Game Notes
» The Broncos held the Blue Bears to only 36.4 percent shooting from the field.
» The Fayetteville State bench came alive by adding 30 points to its scoring output.
» The Fayetteville State defense forced 22 turnovers.
» The Broncos were active in affecting shots on the defensive end, recording five blocks as a team.
» Fayetteville State cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 14 offensive boards in the game.
» Rasheka Simmons and Imani Elliott led the Broncos with 10 points apiece.
» Fayetteville State got six rebounds from both Rasheka Simmons and Amina Miles.
