GANNON'S 68-53 VICTORY SENDS FAYETTEVILLE STATE HOME WITH SOUR STOMACHS
Chelsea Jeter leads team with 14 points in her final game
March 13, 2009
California, PA - The Fayetteville State women's basketball team had an omen of rough times ahead when several team members awoke with illnesses. The Lady Broncos will return home from its sixth NCAA appearance with a 68-53 loss to the number three seed Gannon University (25-4) in the opening game of the NCAA Division II Atlantic Region Tournament. Senior Chelsea Jeter (Baltimore, MD) scored 14 points in her final game as a FSU student-athlete. The three players who showed signs of illness were season starters. The Lady Knights held a 33-31 advantage at halftime.
Fayetteville Sate (19-9) made a few adjustments during pregame with an altered starting lineup. The Lady Broncos played a tough first half with five game ties and five lead changes. FSU led the majority of the half by scoring 11 points from 16 turnovers. The Lady Broncos reached a five-point lead twice but watched it spiral down to a five-point deficit with 27.3% (9-of-33) shooting. Gannon made 11-of-27 field goals for 40.7% shooting and had a 23-19 rebounding edge for the half.
After applying various full-court pressure schemes, fatigue became another hurdle for the Lady Broncos. The shooting woes continued as L'Oreal Price, who averages 13 points per game, finished the game 0-of 11 from the floor with eight rebounds. The team was seven of 27 (25.9%) from the floor, eight of 17 (47.1%) from the free throw line and 0-of-5 from behind the three-point arc.
Chelsea Jeter's 14-point finale was followed up Danielle Russell's 11-point performance and Erica Gilley's ten points from off the bench.
Fayetteville State shot a total 26.7% (16-60) from the floor, 11.1% (1-9) from behind the arc, and 58.8% (20-34) from the charity stripe.
The game remained close until the 9:17 mark. Trailing 46-45, Gannon sparked a 10-0 run to secure its third NCAA victory in program history. Post players Brittany Tabron and Kim Vargas combined for 32 points and 22 rebounds. The Lady Knights extended its lead to 66-51 with 2:30 remaining in the game. Tabron finished with a game high 17 points and 11 rebounds. Vargas followed with 15 while Carrie Nolan and Kristina Freeman chipped in 13 and 11 points, respectively.
Gannon shot 37.5 percent (24-64) from the field, 22.7 percent (5-22) from three-point range, and 83.3 percent (15-18) from the free throw line.
