Shaw encounters close CALL in division dual
Bears Just a Possession Shy Of
Snapping Nine Game Losing Streak
January 24, 2008 – Raleigh, NC – The Shaw University Bears took the court for the scheduled competition against the Fayetteville State University Broncos. Despite leading by as many as 11 points late in the first half, the Bears were dealt a 62 – 59 defeat by the Broncos.
In the first half of play, the Bears’ offense stumbled to stand. Shaw shot a fair 36.4% (12 of 33) from the field. The home team was barraged with baskets from the Bronco’s secondary of offense as they accumulated 19 bench points. Both contenders submitted small, sequential scoring streaks, but FSU managed to maintain a two-point lead for most of the first half. It was not until the 9:13 mark, Shaw’s scorching surge would result in their largest lead of 11 points. From that point on, the Bears looked to place a padlock on their point margin advantage in hopes of harnessing momentum and having the lead at half-time. Unfortunately, the Broncos broke the Bears’ bolt with hot shot shooting by #5 Andy Gebru. He was certainly the answer to traveling FSU fans as Gebru got into a groove to bury five consecutive three-pointers. The junior transfer single handedly brought the Broncos back within one near the close of the first half. As the game clock displayed all zeroes at the end of the first half, the Bears and Broncos were tied 30 – 30.
At the start of the second half, a quick two and a three-pointer by #34 John “Kash” Kornegay positioned the Bears up 35 – 33. Shaw increased their lead to a hand full with two made free throws by #30 Damola Obadina (Forward / 6 – 5 / 240 / Minneapolis, MN) and then an up and under lay-up by Kornegay. Shaw and FSU continued to engage in an intense tug-of-war for the lead. Then, the Bears’ gave themselves some breathing room with an 8 – 0 scoring spurt. The drive was capped with back to back three-point conversions by Obadina. It was not until the 3:58 mark, the Broncos battled back and made one of two attempted free throws to tie the game 54 – 54. As the one minute mark approaches, the Bears and Broncos were eager to score as many of their attempts just rung in and then out of the hoop. With sixty seconds remaining in the game, FSU’s #30 Derek Holmes got a fifteen footer to fall to give the Broncos a 56 – 54 lead. The Bears were within one after #3 Jonathan Mudd (Guard / 6 -1 / 170 / Sophomore / Miami, FL) completed a tough three point play. However, the Broncos led 58 – 57 with 18 seconds left. FSU flushed the nets with a pair of free throws, but the Bears cut it back to one point, 60 – 59, with a lay-up by #00 Cori Gaither (Forward / 6- 5 / Senior / 170 / Jacksonville, FL). The Broncos hit two more free throws to go up, 62 – 59. The Bears had six seconds to possibly extend the contest into overtime, but their final possession ended in a turnover.
Leading the Bears in scoring was #30 Damola Obadina with 16 points (eight rebounds / one steal). Providing additional scoring was #20 Robert “And One” Espinosa (Forward / 6 – 7 / 195 / Senior / Plainfield, NJ) with 13 points (seven rebounds / one assist / two blocks). There was a two-way tie for “King of the Boards” as #3 Jonathan Mudd and Obadina tallied eight rebounds each.
The Shaw University Bears will match up against the Livingstone College Blue Bears on Saturday, January 24th. The CIAA Western Division dual is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m.
