|
|
Dec. 19, 2008 Friday, December 19, 2008 Nassau, Bahamas - Fayetteville State (5-4 overall) faced a tough California (PA) in the Division II championship round of the Bahamas Sunshine Shootout in Nassau Bahamas. In the previous round, the Lady Broncos defeated Charleston (WV) by four points while Cal. (PA) overcame Mars Hill by two. Once again, Danielle Russell saved the team by sinking a layup prior to final horn for a thrilling 63-61 victory over Cal (PA), who drops to 6-2 overall. Fayetteville State jumped to an early nine point lead in the first five minutes of the game. FSU went up by as much as 18 points but went into the locker room with a 33-20 lead at the half. After intermission, California (PA) worked aggressively to decrease the deficit and tie the game for the first time at 40-40 with 13:39 remaining. Free throws plagued the Lady Broncos in the second half as they shot 43.5% making 10 of 23 attempts. In the final two minutes of the game, FSU continued to struggle by making one of its five free opportunities until the clock showed 42 seconds remaining. Down 61-56, Danielle Russell drove through the lane and hit a tough layup to cut the lead down to three. The pressure defense of the Lady Broncos forced a turnover with 52 seconds remaining and called its final timeout with 48 seconds to go. On the inbound play, the Lady Vulcans' Head Coach was charged with a technical foul following a personal foul called on her team with 42 seconds left. LaQuasha Jordan stepped to the line and missed her first attempt of the technical free throw but nailed the second to bring FSU within two. Russell was next to the line to face her two free throw attempts for which she made to tie the score 61-61. The Lady Vulcans raced the ball across half-court and called its final TO with 31 seconds left. A Lady Bronco foul at 14 seconds gave Cal. (PA) a chance to take the lead, but both attempts bounced off the rim with the last one landing in the hands FSU. Russell then proceeded to advance the ball up court with the game on her back and deliver prior to the buzzard with the winning shot.
Chelsea Jeter, who had a double-double in the first game, was named Tournament MVP with 12 points and six rebounds. L'Oreal Price was also named to the team as she finished with 11 points and five rebounds. Russell also finished in double figures with 12 points. Lindsay Johnson, of California (PA), led the game with 21 points while teammates Kayla Smith and Amber Dubyak finished 12 and 10 respectfully.
|
