#23 Shaw DOWNED by NOVA SOUTHEASTERN
Lady
Bears First Half Scoring Surge Severely Short-Circuited in Second Half
December 15, 2007 – Raleigh, NC – The #23 Shaw University Lady Bears competed in their final home contest of 2007 against the Lady Sharks of NOVA Southeastern University. Despite leading by as many as 19 points early in the second half, the Lady Bears were out rebounded 50 – 37 in favor of NOVA Southeastern and forced to shoot a below temperature 36.1% (26 of 72). Unfortunately, Shaw was unable to survive the Lady Shark attack as it finalized as their fourth loss of the season, 73 – 69.
In the first half of play, the Lady Bears used tactical teamwork to navigate in, through, and around NOVA’s defense. Shaw connected on 15 of 39 shot attempts (39.5%) ; which included the Lady Bears’ three-point arsenal terrorizing the Lady Sharks for five of 13 (38.5%) from behind the arc baskets. In addition, Shaw supplied suffocating defense as NOVA was successful in draining only one of six (16.7%) attempts from three-point territory. The Lady Bears’ hard work and hustle on the hardwood gifted them with a 43 – 32 lead at halftime.
The Lady Bears entered the second half ready to finish what they started. Shaw continued to perform with persistent perfection as at the 15:30 mark, they possessed their largest lead of 19 points. However, NOVA nudged closer and closer with a plethora of post production points. The Lady Bears were baffled with the Lady Sharks’ revised offensive strategy as Shaw’s once sizeable point margin advantage was karate chopped to just two points. Although NOVA deposited their last successful field goal with 58 seconds remaining, the Lady Sharks shoplifted the Lady Bears for the road victory with critical conversions at the charity stripe in the final 15 seconds of the game.
Shaw was led in scoring by #25 Jamie Goshen (Guard / 6 – 0 / Senior / Chesapeake, VA) with a game high 31 points (one block / one steal). Goshen’s stellar performance was composed of her striking for 10 of 22 attempted field goals including hitting five of the Lady Bears’ six three-pointers. Also, she sunk six of seven free-throw attempts. Providing additional scoring was #21 NaKeisha Anthony (Guard / Forward / 5 – 10 / Senior / Charlotte, NC) with 16 points (nine rebounds / two assists / one steal). Anthony was just one rebound shy of recording a double double.
The #23 Shaw University Lady Bears will head to Honolulu, Hawaii as they compete in the Hoop – N – Surf Classic on December 17 – 18, 2007. Be sure to wish check the Shaw University athletic website for the classic results and game summaries.
