Bears Athletics - Lady Bears Struggle in Loss to VSU

Turnovers, Poor Shooting Hurt Bears As They Fall to VSU 70-58

(Raleigh, NC) – In a game marked by poor shooting and turnovers by both teams, Shaw lost – for the first time since 2001 – to Virginia State 70-58.

Shaw (1-1, 1-1, CIAA) and VSU (4-0, 3-1 CIAA) both struggled early in the game, and the game elevated beyond a scrap between two defensively talented teams.

Between them, the teams had 46 turnovers – 26 for the Lady Bears and 20 for the Lady Trojans, and 41 personal fouls – 21 for VSU and 20 for Shaw. In the end, the difference came on the glass, where the Lady Trojans outrebounded the Lady Bears 51-42, including a 21-14 lead in offensive rebounds. In a game where neither team shot 40 percent, rebounds were key.

The two teams seemed evenly matched – and struggling equally as much – in the opening minutes of the game. In the first six minutes, there were two ties and three lead changes. But the Lady Trojans found their footing under the boards and with 13:57 left in the half, Angela Brown’s two free throws for VSU gave them a lead they never relinquished.

The first half was characterized by strong full-court defense by both teams, which forced sloppy play. The Lady Trojans had 11 turnovers in the first half while the Lady Bears had 13. Neither team shot particularly well with Shaw hitting only 28.1 percent from the floor.

By the end of the first half, the Lady Trojans had built an eight-point lead, 31-23, largely on their 27-19 rebounding margin.

In the second half, the Lady Bears cut the lead to five twice, but the Lady Trojans responded both times by building double-digit margins before allowing the Lady Bears close again.

Tanisha McGaughey led the Lady Bears with 14 points while Victoria Tanner had 13 and Niesha Searles had 12. Tanner led the Lady Bears with 12 rebounds, while Jan’el Baxter had 11.

The Lady Bears next home game is Saturday, November 28 versus Saint Paul’s at 2:00. Please note, this game was originally listed as being played at Saint Paul’s but has been moved to C. C. Spaulding Gymnasium.

[box score]