GCAC Tournament: Fisk Lady Bulldogs, Davis Battle and Survive to Advance

Janine Davis (fourth from the right) and her teammates looked good and
 played good.
Photo Courtesy Fisk University Athletics

NEW ORLEANS  --  Dillard University's Dent Hall was nicknamed The Battlefield three years ago by the students because of all of the tough battles that the quant building has witnessed. Thursday night in the opening game of the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference tournament, Dent Hall lived up to its nickname as the Fisk University Lady Bulldogs survived and defeated a gritty Voorhees Lady Tiger team 82-79.

Lady Buldog senior Janine Davis came into the game with a chip on her shoulder after being left off of the All GCAC team. The Jamaica, N.Y. native was first in the country in assists to turnover ratio and also was second in assists per game. Davis scored a career high 32 points.

"I didn't want this to be my last game." said the 5'6 Davis. "I wanted us to survive and advance and we did. it feels good to get this one. This was a team effort. My teammates wanted win this for the seniors. We will have to play harder tomorrow though. I will celebrate this one for about 30 minutes."

The Lady Bulldogs went out to what seemed to be a comfortable 13 point lead with 7:05 left in the second half after a pair of three point shots by freshman Nailah Whitlock on assists from Davis. But the Lady Tigers wouldn't go away cutting the lead to 81-79 after a pair of three point shots by Lasherria Sprinkle. Whitlock was fouled with 0.5 to go and had a chance to finally put the game away but split the free throws. A long inbound pass from Amber Johnson to Courtney Roberts was shot after the buzzer sounded. The ball went in but it didn't count. It would have tied the game.

"Hey a win is a win when you are in this one and done format," said Fisk Head Coach Tony Thompson. "We went up big but hurt ourselves at the free throw line. We also took a bad three when we were up seven and in control with a little over a minute left. I will take it but we have to play much better tomorrow. Everyone stepped up tonight. My seniors (Davis and Nacori Foreman) talked to the team and they responded."

All GCAC sophomore Rashida Ademosu scored 18 points for Fisk but fouled out with 4:34 left in regulation and her team up by 13 points. Kimberly Gordon (13 points) scored on a three point play and GCAC Freshman of the Year Jamilia Burgos followed up with a three point shot to get Voorhees back in the game. The foul on Ademosu and subsequent plays was the turning point to make the game close.

"That how we have been playing all year," said Lady Tiger Coach Edward Glover. "We graduated 11 players from last year so we knew it would be tough. I am happy how we never gave up. That is a good team we lost to. We will get back to work and improve next year. My senior Amber Johnson (16 points) played her heart out today. We will be back."

Whitlock added 12 points for Fisk and the NAIA rebound per game leader Foreman grabbed three rebounds under her average with 13. Joining Johnson in double figures for Voorhees were Kimberly Gordon with 13 points and 13 rebounds. Roberts added 12 points and Kritofia Smart had 11. Fisk will take on number one seeded Talladega tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. Talledega swept the Lady Bulldogs in two games this season. The game will be played at The Battlefield.

By Scott Wallace of Fisk University
COURTESY FISK UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS