Monday, January 16, 2006

KENNESAW, Ga. (Jan. 16, 2006) - The Lady Bucs got back on the winning track Monday night, downing Kennesaw State, 69-55, in KSU Convocation Center.  ETSU improves to 10-4, 6-1 in the Atlantic Sun, while KSU drops to 2-11, 2-5 in conference, despite a game-high 18 points, and 17 rebounds from Shavonder Clarke.

B.J. Banjo (Baltimore, Md.) led the way for ETSU with 15 points, followed by Candace Gibson (Warner Robins, Ga.) with 14.  Nichelle Akers (Sumter, S.C.) also tallied double digits, netting 11 points.

Leading 38-28, the Lady Bucs would see their lead cut to eight on a bucket by Dominika Mieszkowska at the 19:50 mark, but a three from Banjo put ETSU up by double figures again.  The lead would remain in double digits until a Clarke three made the score 51-43 with 11:24 remaining.

The scrappy Owls would draw within eight on several occasions in the second frame, but wouldn't get any closer, as the Lady Bucs held strong, taking a 62-46 advantage on a steal and jumper by Akers.  The Lady Bucs' were stellar on defense during the stretch holding the Owls scoreless for over seven minutes.

After nearly eight minutes of back-and-forth basketball to open the game, ETSU managed a 13-10 lead with 11:52 remaining in the first half.  Gibson led ETSU during the opening moments, tallying six points, followed by Banjo with five.  KSU would tie the score at 13 with a three from Nikki Gurley, but the Lady Bucs responded, taking the 17-13 behind four points from Banjo.

The Lady Owls would even the score once again, thanks to a pair of free throws from Gurley, to make it 17-17 with 8:38 remaining.  ETSU responded with a 13-5 run in the next 5:06, making the score 30-22. Gibson highlighted the run with six points in a 1:30 span.  The senior had a solid first half, totaling 12 points, and five rebounds.

Jenny Norman (Peachtree City, Ga.) would help ETSU to the 38-28 halftime lead, scoring eight of the Lady Bucs' last 10 points, all coming in the last 4:11.  KSU's Ngoneh Gaye kept the Lady Owls afloat late in the half, posting 11 points, including 10 of their last 12.  The Lady Owls took the momentum into the locker room, however, with a Jade Robinson steal and a layup in the final seconds to bring the deficit to 10. 

The Lady Bucs return home this weekend for A-Sun tilts against Campbell and Gardner-Webb.  ETSU will take on the Fighting Camels at 7 p.m., on Jan. 19, and the Runnin' Bulldogs at 2 p.m., on Jan. 21.  Both games will be played in Brooks Gym.