SHAW LADY BEARS DEFEAT JCSU FOR 2008 CIAA CHAMPIONSHIP
Shaw's 5th CIAA title in six years
March 1, 2008
Charlotte, NC - Sweet redemption is the sentiment expressed by the Lady Bears of Shaw University, who win the 2008 CIAA Women's Basketball Championship with a "-" victory over No. 3 seed Johnson C. Smith University on Saturday afternoon inside the Charlotte Bobcats Arena.
The final game of the tournament came down to the team that most expected to win and the team that has the championship in its own backyard. Top seed Shaw University ended the regular season averaging exactly seven more points per game (67.6 ppg) than the Lady Golden Bulls. The Lady Bears have also won their last six games, including tournament victories.
With Charlotte, NC hosting the tournament, Johnson C. Smith has had the support of being the hometown team. JCSU pulled off somewhat of an upset by beating No. 2 seed Bowie State University in the semi-finals, who had the best overall regular season record in the conference (21-5).
The first half set the tempo for what was to come in this match-up. All-CIAA sophomore forward Kyria Buford responded to Shaw's first score with a three-pointer at the 18:20 mark to put JCSU up for the one and only time in the first period (3-2). The Lady Bears kept Johnson C. Smith at bay; maintaining a 3-4 point lead for most of the half. Shaw earned an 11-point lead halfway through the period off a 7-0 scoring run.
The Lady Golden Bulls out-rebounded Shaw 23-15 and took advantage of their free throw opportunities, shooting 88.9 percent (8-of-9) to stay in contention. Shaw's forced JCSU into 14 turnovers, which they converted into 11 points. The Lady Bears led at halftime 32-29 mostly off their ability to dominate the post. In the first half, Shaw outscored Johnson C. Smith 18-6 in the paint.
Johnson C. Smith got within one point of the Lady Bears (41-40) off a lay-up from senior guard Shemika Jones with 13:42 on the clock. JCSU went cold from the field and did not score another bucket for close to 11 minutes. By that time, Shaw had built a 14-point lead and a hole that the Lady Golden Bulls could not dig themselves out of.
Shaw All-CIAA senior forward Nicky Souter's double-double performance of 12 points and 11 rebounds earned her the Food Lion Most Valuable Player of the game. Senior guard Jamie Goshen scored a team-high 13 points for Shaw, including six-for-six shooting (100%) from the free throw line.
Kyria Buford and Shemika Jones were the top scorers for Johnson C. Smith, both with 11 points.
Shaw University wins their seventh title in school history and fifth CIAA Championship in the last six years. The Lady Bears earn an automatic bid into the NCAA Division II playoffs.
At the conclusion of the championship game, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association announced their 2008 All-Tournament Team and Tournament Most Valuable Player:
2008 CIAA Women's All-Tournament Team
NAME
POS
CLASS INSTITUTION
Leticia
Dickson
G
Sr.
Fayetteville State
Bianca
Lee
G
So.
Bowie State
Erica
Gilley
F
Fr.
Fayetteville State
Markeya Watson
F
Jr.
Bowie State
Ashley
Chase
G
Sr.
Johnson C. Smith
Jamie
Goshen
G
Sr.
Shaw University
Shemika
Jones
G
Sr.
Johnson C. Smith
Shana
Andrus
F
Sr.
Shaw University
Kyria
Buford
G
So.
Johnson C. Smith
Celanese Bozeman
G
Jr.
Shaw University
2008 CIAA Women's Tournament MVP
Celanese Bozeman G Jr. Shaw University
2008 CIAA Women's Team Sportsmanship Award
Saint Paul's College
