Spartans Survive Savannah State, 67-66
NORFOLK, Va. - Great defense early on and good free throw shooting throughout the game allowed Norfolk State to hold on against Savannah State, 67-66, Sunday afternoon at Joseph Echols Hall.
NSU (6-4) had the lead up to 17 at one point in the second half, but the Tigers (7-8) hit several key 3-pointers that allowed them to cut the lead to single digits. The Spartans, who had been struggling from the free throw line this year, hit 21-of-26 (80.8 percent) for the game and iced the win with several key free throws late.
Junior Whitney Long tallied 22 points on 8-of-11 shooting to lead the Spartans, with freshman Rae Corbo tallying a career-high 19 on 6-of-7 shooting. Corbo also hit 6-of-7 from the free throw line and added three assists and two steals.
Long is averaging slightly more than 20 points a game over the last four contests.
Freshman Rachel Gordon grabbed 11 rebounds and three steals, but for the game the Tigers held a 37-30 edge in rebounds. NSU shot exactly 50 percent (21-of-42), including 4-of-8 from the 3-point line, while Savannah State hit 24-of-61 (39.3 percent).
The Tigers were led by Darice Fountaine with 20 points, 13 rebounds and three assists, while Ezinne Kalu totaled 19 points with five assists and four steals. Savannah State did hit on 8-of-21 from the 3-point line (38.1 percent), the best mark by an NSU opponent this season, but the Tigers sank just 10-of-19 free throws.
For the complete story, visit www.nsuspartans.com
Ohio State Runs Past Lady Wildcats, 86-38
COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Lady Wildcats walked into a big-time game environment against the #10/11 Buckeyes of Ohio State in Sunday's game at Value City Arena. However, with 3,136 fans on hand B-CU didn't bat an eye and showed no signs of intimidation, fighting a tough early game before succumbing to the great depth on the opposing bench, OSU ran away with it in the second half for an 86-38 final.
The Lady Wildcats stunned the red-clad crowd in the arena at first, starting with a steal and fast-break layup by Sarah Bolden on Ohio State's first possession. Jasmine Elum added to the early attack on the next possession with a three to take a 5-0 lead.
The Buckeyes went straight to their gameplan, firing the ball inside to their star center, Jantel Lavender, who put the Buckeyes on top. Lavender scored the first 15 points for OSU, but her height and size were hard for B-CU to defend.
Unbalanced foul calling paid its toll on the Lady Wildcats, as it placed both Bolden and Elum in foul trouble before the 10:00 mark, and put OSU on the line far too many times for a skilled free throw shooting team. B-CU out-fouled OSU 20-9, with the Buckeyes shooting 29 charity buckets to B-CU's 10.
But the biggest part of OSU's attack was their depth, which they used to make hockey-style line changes. Only three of the 12 Buckeyes playing spent more than 20 minutes on the court, while B-CU's bench only runs nine-deep due to injuries.
OSU's Lavender was absolutely unconscious, shooting 12-for-13 from the field and 5-of-5 from the free throw line, racking up 29 points despite only playing 21 minutes.
Jasmine Daniels topped all B-CU scorers, collecting 11 points and playing the most consistent game. Elum finished with 8 and Bolden tallied 7, while leading the team in rebounds with 11.
For the complete story, visit www.bcuathletics.com
Silaraja Leads Robert Morris Past Coppin State 55-51
BALTIMORE - Kristine Silaraja scored 13 points, including a key 3-pointer with 1:00 to play, leading Robert Morris to a 55-51 victory over Coppin State on Sunday in the Physical Education Complex.
Coppin State cut a 15-point second half deficit to 50-49 on a basket by Leola Spotwood with 1:18 left to play, but Silaraja answered with a 3-pointer with 1:00 to play to increase the lead to 53-49.
Silaraja, who scored the Colonials final five points of the game, added a pair of free throws with nine seconds remaining to seal the victory.
Mary Durojaye led Robert Morris (5-7) with 16 points and Artemis Spanou had 10 points and 14 rebounds.
Shawntae Payne led Coppin State (2-9) with 17 points, while Jeanine Manley had eight points and Spotwood scored seven.
For the complete story, visit www.coppinstatesports.com
Morton, Parker Shine In UMES 64-60 Loss To American
PRINCESS ANNE, Md. - Casey Morton tied her career high with 24 points and Chena Parker notched a double-double of 13 points and 12 rebounds but American escaped the William P. Hytche Athletic Center with a 64-60 win over Maryland Eastern Shore Sunday.
Morton went 8-for-16 from the floor and 3-for-5 from 3-point range, adding five rebounds, two assists and two steals in the fifth straight loss for UMES (2-8). American (10-4) received 15 points from Lisa Strack and 14 from Liz Leer to earn their eighth victory in a row.
Parker's double-double, which came on 6-of-10 shooting and with eight defensive rebounds, was the first of the season for UMES and the fourth of her career.
A hot-shooting first half for both teams, it featured five ties and three lead changes.
Nicole Ryan drained a 3-pointer midway through the second half as American built a 52-39 lead but UMES didn't go away, making it a four-point game on five different occasions. Sha-Kiyla Finney punctuated a 12-3 run over 7:08 with a trey from Jackson to cut the lead to 55-51 with 3:22 remaining.
The Lady Hawks had a chance to tie the game with 47 seconds left, 59-56, when Parker cleared the rebound of a Leer shot and got it to Finney, but her 3 drew iron and the Eagles hot five free throws down the stretch to ensure the win.
For the complete story, visit www.umeshawks.com