Women's Basketball Upended For First Time This Season

Women's Basketball Upended For First Time This Season

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The Georgia Southwestern women's basketball team suffered its first loss of the season, a 67-60 setback, at Johnson C. Smith University on Friday afternoon.

GSW's record falls to 5-1 while Johnson C. Smith improved its mark to 6-1.

The Lady Hurricanes made seven of their first nine shots against JCSU and jumped out to an early 14-7 lead. Everything seemed to be clicking for GSW as the Lady Hurricanes proceeded to go on a 9-0 run capped by a 3-pointer from Kenyona Armstrong with 12:44 remaining in the half to open their largest lead of the afternoon.

It wouldn't last long. GSW shooters went ice cold the rest of the half, missing 18 of their next 20 shots. To make matters worse, the Lady Hurricanes comitted 14 turnovers over that stretch as well. JCSU led by three points at the halftime break, 31-28.

The Lady Hurricanes opened the second half on a 7-0 run to regain the lead, but when Ashley Porter scored to put JCSU ahead 37-35 with 15:52 to play it would be for good. GSW refused to go away and stayed within striking distance until the closing moments. The Golden Bulls managed to stretch their lead to double digits, 57-47, for the first time in the game with 4:37 to play. A layup from Shatoria Hudson pulled GSW within six at 62-56, but that's as close as the Lady Hurricanes could get. JCSU made 5 of 6 from the charity stripe to seal the win.

GSW struggled from long range all afternoon, finishing 5 of 23 (21.7 percent) from beyond the arc.

The Lady Hurricanes finished with a 47-45 rebounding advantage and committed fewer turnovers (29-27) than JCSU.

Tiara Thompson was one of two Lady Hurricanes to score in double figures. Thompson finished with 11 points and four steals. Shanedra Lockett had her first double-double of the season. Lockett scored 10 and grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds.

Anika Jones led the way for the Golden Bulls with 20 points. She connected on 4 of 8 from 3-point range. Asha Jordan came off the bench to add 15. Lakendra Wilkerson posted a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Southwestern completes its weekend trip to North Carolina on Saturday with a 5:30 game at Belmont Abbey College.