Dashia Jackson Bowie2
Lawrence Johnson-All Pro Photography
42
Claflin CLAFWBB 15-14
55
Winner Fayetteville State FSU-W 20-7
Claflin CLAFWBB
15-14
42
Final
55
Fayetteville State FSU-W
20-7
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Claflin CLAFWBB 14 5 7 16 42
Fayetteville State FSU-W 9 15 10 21 55

Game Recap: Women's Basketball | | Courtesy: CIAA

Defensive Effort Leads Top-Seeded Fayetteville State to a 55-42 Win over Claflin

CHARLOTTE, NC – The Fayetteville State Broncos (20-7) used a stifling defensive effort to claim a 55-42 win over the Claflin Lady Panthers (15-14) in the quarterfinal round of the 2019 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Women's Basketball Championship Tournament. The Broncos advance to the semifinal round of the tournament to face the winner of the Bowie State University/Elizabeth City State University winner or Friday.
 
Defense definitely was the name of the game as both teams put up a great effort to slow down their opponents. The Broncos got the better of the Lady Panthers as they held Claflin to shooting just 32.6% (15-of-46) from the floor and forced 24 Panther turnovers. The Broncos were especially tough in the paint as they held a 42-33 rebounding edge of the Lady Panthers with nine blocked shots. However, Claflin also put on a strong defensive showing of its own as they held Fayetteville State to shooting just 35.8% (19-of-53) from the floor.
 
Freshman guard Dashia Jackson led the way for Claflin with a game-high 18 points while graduate forward Ashley Fields added 13 points and nine rebounds in her final game as a Lady Panther. The Broncos were led by junior guard Katisha Hyman who totaled 17 points with nine rebounds, five assists, and five steals in the game while junior guard Shantel Bennett added 10 points with five rebounds and four steals.
 
The strong defensive tone of the game was set early as the Broncos and the Lady Panthers combined for just 23 first quarter points. The two teams were a combined five-for-19 in the first six minutes of the game.
 
Fayetteville State made the most of their strong defensive start as they built a 9-5 lead through the first media timeout with 3:23 left in the first quarter, but Claflin would answer in a big way when they went on a six-point run to take an 11-9 lead with 2:18 left in the first quarter. A three-pointer from Ashley Fields put the exclamation on the Lady Panthers' effort and left the team with a 14-9 lead at the end of the quarter.
 
The second quarter belonged to the Broncos as they held the Lady Panthers to just five second quarter points. They got the quarter started with some great defensive intensity as they held Claflin scoreless for the first six minutes taking an 18-14 lead before Claflin's Jackson hit a lay-up with 3:25 left to end the drought.
 
The Broncos continued to remain in control as a jumper from Fayetteville State sophomore guard Michelle Gainey gave the Broncos a 24-17 lead with 1:39 left in the quarter. Claflin was able to get a jumper from Fields with 00:27 left in the quarter to give the Broncos with a 24-19 lead at the half.
 
In the third quarter, the defensive trend continued in spite of a sharp-shooting start by both teams.
 
After both teams opened the quarter with made shots, the Broncos found themselves with a 28-22 lead following a jumper from junior forward Darria Hewitt with 8:31 left in the quarter. From there, the Broncos' defensive play began to take center stage as they held the Lady Panthers to just four more points for the remainder of the quarter. While the Broncos also found shots hard to make in the quarter, they were able to make the most of their trips to the free throw line pushing their lead to eight points, 34-24 lead after a pair of Harris free throws with 1:42 left in the quarter. Claflin would get a layup from junior forward Shakarri Mack to cut the deficit to eight points, 34-26 at the end of the quarter.
 
The effects of the tough play over the first three quarters showed in the fourth quarter as both teams were able to put points on the scoreboard. The Broncos did however manage to outscore the Lady Panthers 21-16 in picking up the win.
 
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