The fifth-ranked Shaw women’s basketball team found themselves in unfamiliar territory tonight, down by as much as 10 points.  But the Lady Bears came back and defeated St. Augustine’s 80-71 before a capacity crowd at Southeast Raleigh High School. 

St. Augustine’s (9-8, 1-6) went up 26-16 on a lay-up by Dana Atkins with nine minutes, 16 seconds remaining in the first half.  But Shaw went on an 18-8 run over the next five minutes as Leslee Anderson’s lay-up at the 4:32 mark tied the score at 34-34.  Shaw led 43-41 at halftime.

St. Augustine’s would take its last lead of the game, 48-47 on an Ernesta Green lay-up with 17:34 remaining.  Shaw took the lead for good on a three-pointer by Kiarsha Curtis with 16:56 remaining.  Shaw would push its lead up to 18 points with just over seven minutes to play before finally winning by nine.  Joy Hairston and Jessica Hawkins each recorded a double double as Hairston had 19 points and 10 rebounds and Curtis had 15 points and 10 rebounds.  Curtis had 15.  Valicia Brown scored a game-high 26 for the Lady Falcons

Shaw will next play at St. Paul’s on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.