Both teams shot the ball well early, infiltrating the opposing team’s defense and playing to an early stalemate.

“We expected the type of game that it was, a real physical and close scoring game,” said Shaw head coach Jacques Curtis. 

With a 31-29, Shaw (26-2) went on a 9-2 run, taking a 40-31 lead at halftime.
 

Kiarsha Curtis had the shooting touch in the first half.  In addition to making a pair of three-pointers, she also went 4-4 from the charity stripe. Curtis, an All-CIAA team member, netted 14 in the opening half, and 2004 CIAA Player of the Year Jessica Hawkins added 12.

All-CIAA guard Joi Surratt paced Johnson C. Smith (16-13) with eight points and Tiana Pope grabbed five rebounds, including four on the offensive glass.
 

Despite a closely contested first half, the Lady Golden Bulls were unable to keep pace with the Lady Bears in the second half. A free throw by Hawkins swelled Shaw’s lead to 66-52 with 7 minutes 48 seconds left in the game.
 

Kiarsha Curtis was the main offensive weapon for the Lady Bears, finishing with 32 points, while Hawkins contributed with 16 points, 6 rebounds and 3 steals.
 

The Lady Golden Bulls were led by Lauren Goss who notched a double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds, while Surratt finished with 13 points and Pope had 11 in the losing effort.
 

“We felt fortunate to pull away at the end at get out of here with a ‘W,’ and get to the championship game tomorrow night,” Jacques Curtis said.

Shaw will meet Virginia Union, who defeated Fayetteville State 69-53 in the other semi-finals game, in the championship game tomorrow at 5 p.m.