January 24, 2008 – Raleigh, NC – The Shaw University Lady Bears ballroom danced with the Lady Broncos of Fayetteville State University.  Despite the Lady Bears outrebounding FSU 60 to 44 and having four student-athletes to finish in double figures, Shaw’s scorching hot five game winning streak was cooled off with an unfortunate 83 – 81 home court upset by FSU.

Although, the Lady Bears took possession of the opening tip-off, Shaw fell subject to their opponents early after the Lady Broncos galloped on a 7 – 2 scoring spurt. The Lady Bears would battle back at the stellar athleticism of #33 Celanese Bozeman (Guard / 5 – 9 / Junior / Hampton, VA). The Division I transfer buried back to back baskets to keep Shaw within reach of the Lady Broncos. Shaw snipped their point deficit to two, 17 – 15 FSU, with two made free throws by #3 Tanisha “Make It Rain” McGaughey (Guard / 5 – 11 / Sophomore / Norfolk, VA). Nevertheless, FSU took flight to go back up by six, 21 – 15, after two unanswered scores. Head Coach Jacques Curtis motioned from the sideline to signal for a sixty second timeout as the Lady Broncos bucked out in front by double digits, 27 – 15, after #20 Jamara McMilliam was credited with a made basket and free throw and then returned with a three-pointer. Immediately out of the elongated break, Shaw’s #25 Jamie “Go-To-Guru” Goshen (Guard / 6 – 0 / Senior / Chesapeake, VA) and #11 Jessica “The Answer” Davis (Guard / 5 – 5 / Junior / Cleveland, OH) each sunk a shot to reduce the point deficit back to single digits. FSU continued to flood the floor with consistent offensive production as they went up by 11, 34 – 23, with 3:28 remaining in the first half. Shortly thereafter, #55 Tavia Clemendor (Forward / 6 – 0 / Senior / Danville, VA) deposited back to back buckets to escort the Lady Bears within seven. From there, Shaw ignited a heat wave as #5 Shana Andrus (Guard / Junior / 6 – 0 /  Akron, OH) accelerated though the FSU defense to finish with a finesse finger-roll and then snatch a steal before lofting in the fast break lay-up. Just seconds before half-time, the packed to capacity crowd erupted with screams of “Shaw U Pride” as Bozeman bucketed a fast break lay-up to bring the Lady Bears within one, 38 – 37.  

Both teams blasted out of the locker-rooms with equal amounts of harnessed momentum from the first half. The Lady Bears weaved in and out of FSU’s defensive mazes to pour in a steady flow of offensive production. Yet the Lady Broncos did exactly the same things. After the first three minutes of play, FSU led 57 – 48. The Lady Broncos held a deaf grip on a double digit lead until at the 6:54 mark, Bozeman made two of two free throws. The Lady Bears made their way back within five, 67 – 62, of the Lady Broncos after Andrus air-mailed an animated assist to Goshen for the lay-up.  On the next two possessions, Goshen returned with a pull up jumper and a putback. However, Shaw took a thirty second timeout at the 3:22 as FSU led 74 – 66. Although down but, not out, the Lady Bears dropped a dagger in the heart of FSU with a drive and dish by McGaughey to Anthony for the nothing but net three-pointer. Shaw trailed 78 – 76 with 1:10 left in the contest. The Lady Broncos bolted down the court to score, but McGaughey would make three of two four attempted free throws as FSU led 81 – 79 with 46 seconds on the game clock. The  Lady Bears’ Davis pick pocketed FSU’s #23 Leticia Dickson, but the ball was knocked loose out of her hands. The ball was passed in to Anthony as she passed to Andrus for the lay-up. With the contest tied at 81 – 81, the Lady Bears were awarded a trip to the free throw line. The two made free throws served as the decision maker as Shaw’s last attempt was unsuccessful.

The Lady Bears had four student-athletes to score double figures. Leading Shaw in scoring was #3 Tanisha McGaughey with 16 points (seven rebounds / six assists / one steal). Providing additional scoring was #5 Shana Andrus and #33 Celanese Bozeman each with 14 points as #25 Jamie Goshen scored 12 points. The Lady Bears top rebounder was #34 Nicky “Queen B” Souter (Forward / Center / 6 – 0 / Senior / Brooklyn, NY) as she collected six offensive rebounds and 10 defensive rebounds for a game high 16 rebounds; which ties her season high.

The Shaw University Lady Bears take part in CIAA competition on January 26, 2008 against the Livingstone College Lady Blue Bears. The Saturday showdown is scheduled to start at 5:30 p.m.