Johnson C. Smith Women's Basketball Takes Down Livingstone in Overtime, 85-78

SALISBURG, North Carolina  --  The Johnson C. Smith University had five players score in double figures and outscoring Livingstone 15-7 in overtime to take a key 85-78 CIAA Southern Division road win at Trent Gym in Salisbury, N.C. on Saturday afternoon.

JCSU freshman A'Diyah Ussery (Shelby, N.C.) finished with a game-high 22 points while junior Krista White (Dayton, Ohio) contributed 13. Sophomore guard Asha Jordan (Monroe, N.C.) had 12 while Larryqua Hall (Atlanta, Ga.) and Quinesha Lynch (Rocky Mount, N.C.) each had 10. The win improves JCSU to 15-10 overall, 8-6 in CIAA play and 4-4 in Southern Division play but more importantly, pulls the Golden Bulls into a four-way tie for second place in the division.

In the first quarter, the Blue Bears jumped ahead 11-4 out of the gate, but JCSU quickly rebounded to tie the score at 11-11, the second tie of the game. After JCSU took a slim one point lead at the end of the quarter (15-14), Livingstone would regain the lead and hold it until the second of two White free throws at the 3:43 mark tied the contest for the fifth time. Neither team could stretch out a significant lead with Livingstone going into the halftime break with a 30-27 advantage.

In the third quarter, JCSU made a move, bolting to a 51-43 lead following two free throws from Hall with 2:40 left. Livingstone would cut the lead to five points on two occasions, the latter being a 54-49 cushion at the end of the third quarter.

JCSU would then take its largest lead of the afternoon and nine points (66-57) when Jordan splashed down a three pointer with 4:37 to play. Livingstone would then go on a 13-5 spurt that forced the 10th tie of the game, thanks to a Brittany Taylor three pointer that brought the score to 70-70 with 33 seconds left. JCSU would have a chance to take the lead back with four seconds remaining, but White missed two free throw attempts, sending the game to overtime.

In the extra stanza, JCSU quickly jumped to a five point lead at 79-74 with 2:29 left after an
Ashley Porter (Winston-Salem, N.C.) layup. Livingstone would get a three pointer from Ariana De'Jesus that trimmed the JCSU lead to two points at 79-77, but they could get no closer and JCSU hit 6-of-10 free throws down the stretch to provide the 85-78 final.

The Golden Bulls will return home for the first of two consecutive home games to end the regular season, hosting Winston-Salem State on Wednesday, Feb. 17. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. in Brayboy Gym. Fans are encouraged to wear pink to the game, as JCSU will host the annual Pink Games to benefit Susan G. Komen Charlotte.

Box Score

COURTESY JOHNSON C. SMITH UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION