Jan. 27, 2007

Final Stats

Savannah, Ga. - Antoinette Williams scored a game-high 16 points on 5-for-9 shooting from the field to boost Savannah State University past Bethune-Cookman College in a women's basketball affair on Saturday afternoon, 63-43, at Tiger Arena in Savannah, Ga.

Bethune-Cookman (4-14) and Savannah State stood deadlocked at 23 at the half, but it was the opening minutes of the second period that changed the entire outcome of the contest.

Antionette Williams of SSU (7-14) scored eight of her team's points during an incredible 15-1 run during the first six minutes of the second half. B-CC's only point came via a Sierra McKnight free throw five minutes into the final period.

The Wildcats recorded their first field goal of the half when Traci Fountain knocked in a jumper with 13:13 remaining.

An old-fashioned three-point play from the Tigers' LaShara Smith, plus two free throws from teammate Shaunte Carter, and SSU led by 19 at 47-28 with just over 10 minutes left in the contest.

B-CC cut the Tigers lead down to 15 when McKnight registered five points in a row, but it was not enough as the lead never dropped below double digits the rest of the way. In fact, it increased to as many as 21 (59-38) when Amber West banked home a three-pointer with 3:40 showing on the clock.

The `Cats seemed to have one final run in them, however, as McKnight scored back-to-back free throws and along range bomb to bring the lead down to 59-43 in favor of SSU, but a lay-up from Cassidy Jenkins sealed the deal for the homestanding Orange and Blue on this day.

The Wildcats, leading by as many as 11 points at 20-9 in the first half, allowed the Tigers to come back in the late stages of the half. Williams scored eight points during her team's 14-3 run to end the half and notch the score at 23-23.

B-CC shot just 28 percent (15x53) from the field, dropping below 30 percent mark for the second-straight contest. They also allowed their counterparts from CSRA (Central Savannah River Area) to outscore them 19-8 in the points off turnovers category.

The biggest difference, however, may have been the fact that B-CC posted just one (1) field goal during a nine minute drought extending from the 1:45 mark of the first half to 13:13 left in the game. The basket in the latter stages of the first half was a lay-up from Tristan McCray along the right side.

Bethune-Cookman College has now lost three consecutive games to Savannah State, including four of the last five games dating back to the 2003-04 season.

Savannah State was paced on the night in scoring by Williams with 16 points and four defensive steals. Also in double figures were Ivy Smith (10) and Carter with 12 points and 10 rebounds in a double-double effort for the Tigers. Smith also dished out a game-high six assists.

Bethune-Cookman was led by McKnight as the only Wildcat in double figures with 12 points and six rebounds. Fountain added nine points and two steals, while teammate Monique Bassett pitched in eight points and three boards of her own.

Bethune-Cookman will now come back into conference play on Monday when they host Delaware State University inside Moore Gymnasium at 5:30 pm. That contest will be immediately followed up by the men's game at 7:30 pm.