For Immediate Release

February 24^th, 2004

 

Back-to-Back Games And JCSU Proves Too Much For ECSU; Fall 71-58

 

RALEIGH, NC – A first-round bye in the CIAA Tournament is an asset of immeasurable value.  That fact was proven on Tuesday afternoon by Johnson C. Smith University as the Lady Golden Bulls looked to be the fresher team from the onset of their game versus Elizabeth City State as they jumped out to a 15-4 lead over the Lady Vikings and held on to earn a 71-58 victory in the second round of the 2004 CIAA Tournament.

 

Elizabeth City State, which did not have the benefit of a free pass in the first round, played on Monday, defeating the Lady Rams of Winston-Salem State 73-59, a fact that was evident as the Lady Golden Bulls appeared to be one-step quicker all game long, in what would ultimately lead to a JCSU victory.

 

After jumping out to an early double-digit lead, the Lady Golden Bulls fell behind 24-21 with 5:28 remaining in the first half after a 17-4 ECSU run, but quickly regrouped and used a 10-0 run of their own to regain the lead at 31-24 with just over two minutes left in the first half of play. 

 

Johnson C. Smith would take a 36-29 advantage into the locker room at the halftime break as they looked to try to continue their journey towards their second consecutive CIAA Championship game appearance.

 

Fatigue continued to be a factor for the Lady Vikings in the second half as three straight turnovers, coupled with the Lady Golden Bulls’ full-court pressure proved to be their undoing.  JCSU steadily built their lead to 13 points with 12 minutes left in the contest as ECSU went 7:40 without a field goal.   

 

Despite a valiant effort, and a late-game comeback attempt that cut JCSU’s lead to as little as six points, the Lady Vikings would come up short and end the season at one game below .500 at 13-14 overall.

 

“In order for us to be effective, we needed to get into transition, and I think that our press did that.  It was very effective, and enabled us to get into things, and I have to give credit to my point guard Annie DeRoy.  It is great to have a coach on the floor, and she does that for us.  This game was important because as everyone knows it is one and done in the tournament, and Elizabeth City is where I started my coaching career, so anytime we face them it is special to me.“  JCSU Head Coach Vanessa Taylor on her team’s victory.

 

The Lady Golden Bulls, who hand ECSU a season-ending loss for the second consecutive year were led by Annie DeRoy who led all scorers with 17 points.  She was not without help as three other JCSU starters tallied double-digits in scoring.

 

Pacing the Lady Vikings was Trevia Pittman with 14 points in the losing effort.

 

Johnson C. Smith improves to 16-12 with the win and advances to Friday’s third round (3:00 pm) to face the winner of Tuesday’s 9:00 pm match up between the Shaw University Lady Bears and the Lady Blue Bears of Livingstone College.