Tallahassee, Fla.—The SC State women's basketball team closed out its 2010-11 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play with a 76-70 overtime victory over Florida A&M at the Al Lawson MCTG on the campus of Florida A&M. The win is the third straight for the Lady Bulldogs and second straight road win.
Florida A&M (FAMU) began the game very aggressive, jumping out to a 14-2 run by the 15:20 mark. Over the next four minutes, SC State (10-16, 6-10) put together a mini 9-3 run to pull within four, 17-13 by the 11:47 mark. FAMU then used a 7-2 run to jump ahead 24-15 with a little over eight minutes remaining. SC State cut the deficit to two, 24-22, with just over five minutes remaining in the half. The Lady Rattlers enjoyed a four point lead, 36-32, heading into intermission.
SC State began the second half on an 8-2 run to take its first lead of the game, 40-38, with just under 16 minutes remaining the half. The Lady Bulldogs enjoyed its largest lead of six, 48-40, with 13:15 remaining in the game. After both teams went scoreless over a five minute span, FAMU (14-14, 8-7 MEAC) put together a 7-0 run to pull within three, 47-50, with 7:56 remaining. The Lady Rattlers cut the score to one, before a three pointer by Jasmine Grice gave FAMU a one point lead with just over five minutes remaining. A free-throw by the Lady Bulldogs
Tiara Knotts tied the game at 53-53. FAMU regained the lead off a jumper by Grice with 4:44 remaining in the half. A short jumper by Knotts once again tied the game at 57-57. FAMU quickly answered to take the two point lead, 59-57, with just over two minutes remaining. A three-pointer by Knotts gave the Lady Bulldogs the brief one point lead, 60-59. The Lady Rattlers Tameka McKelton answered with a three-pointer to give FAMU the two-point lead, 62-60. A subsequent free-throw by Shekeira Copeland increased the Lady Rattlers lead to three, 63-60. Senior guard
Whitney Wiley hit a three-pointer with just 1.5 remaining that tied the game at 63-63 that eventually sent the contest into overtime.
The teams exchanged baskets to begin the extra period. A jumper by Wiley gave SC State a 69-67 lead. The Lady Bulldogs increased its lead to three, 71-68 with just under a minute remaining. FAMU managed to pull within two, 70-68 but could not get any closer. Knotts connected on five-of-six free-throws down the stretch to seal the 76-70 victory for SC State.
Wiley and Knotts led SC State in scoring with 13 points each.
Fannie Goodwin recorded a double-double, 10 points and a game-high 15 rebounds in the victory.
Florida A&M was led in scoring and rebounding by Qiana Donald with 15 and 12 respectively.
SC State will close out its 2010-11 regular season next Thursday, March 3 when they travel to Durham, N.C. to take on the Lady Eagles of North Carolina Central. The Lady Bulldogs will then travel to the Winston-Salem, N.C. to participate in the 2011 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Tournament during the week of March 7, 2011.
