BALTIMORE, MD --The no. 1 seeded Fayetteville State women's basketball team held Johnson C. Smith to just 8.3 percent from beyond the arc in a 1-for-12 shooting performance, but fell 62-54 to the Golden Bulls at CFG Bank Arena Wednesday. No. 8 Johnson C. Smith (13-15 overall) will advance to the CIAA Basketball Tournament's Final Four with the upset victory
Aniylah Bryant led the Broncos (18-7 overall) with nine points and three steals. Imani Elliott also tacked on 13 points and two steals off of the bench and Keayna McLaughlin chipped in as well with eight points.
London Thompson grabbed a team high seven rebounds.
Shaniya Jones led the winning effort with a game high 27 points for the Golden Bulls. Tori Reid and La'Zarea Bowens led the rebounding effort with 13 and 12 boards. Bownes had a double-double with an added 14 points.
How It Happened
Fayetteville State struggled out of the gate, falling behind 16-10 at the end of the first quarter.
Fayetteville State kept the Golden Bulls from increasing their lead before going on a 5-0 run, highlighted by a bucket from Morgan Graham, to narrow its deficit to 20-19. The Broncos were unable to narrow the gap any further, but did not lose ground either and entered halftime with a 30-29 deficit.
Fayetteville State came out of halftime on fire, going on a 7-0 run to grab a 36-30 lead with 7:20 to go in the third. Johnson C. Smith responded to seize a 45-44 lead entering the fourth quarter. Fayetteville State played well near the basket, scoring 12 of its 15 points in the paint.
Fayetteville State came out of the third quarter break clicking on all cylinders, going on an 8-0 run, finished off by Rasheka Simmons' three, to seize a 52-45 lead with 5:29 to go in the contest. Johnson C. Smith re-asserted control, outscoring the Broncos 17-2 the rest of the way to hand Fayetteville State the 62-54 loss. Fayetteville State took advantage of its opportunities in the post, scoring six of its 10 points in the paint.
Game Notes
» The Broncos held the Golden Bulls to only 40 percent shooting from the field.
» Fayetteville State played solid perimeter defense, holding Johnson C. Smith to 8 percent from three point land on 12 attempts.
» The Fayetteville State bench came alive by adding 23 points to its scoring output.
» The Fayetteville State defense forced 18 turnovers.
» Fayetteville State cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 10 offensive boards in the game.
» Imani Elliott led the Broncos with 13 points.
» Fayetteville State got a team-high seven rebounds from London Thompson.
