Shaw Rallies for Second Straight Upset, Defeating California(Pa.) 70-63

Shaw Rallies for Second Straight Upset, Defeating California(Pa.) 70-63

March 12, 2011

EDINBORO, Pa. – As she was exchanging handshakes following their semifinal win over West Liberty, Johnson C. Smith head coach Vanessa Taylor looked over at the Shaw team in the stands and told them to make it two.  It wasn’t easy, but the Lady Bears posted their second straight upset in the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional on Saturday night at Edinboro University’s McComb Fieldhouse with a 70-63 win over California(Pa.).  Shaw is now 23-11 while California(Pa.), the fifth seed, ends the year at 23-8.

Shaw, the number eight seed, will now meet second-seeded Johnson C. Smith in the Atlantic Regional Championship Game at 7 p.m.  It will mark the fourth meeting between the two CIAA rivals, with Johnson C. Smith winning the first two meetings and Shaw claiming the CIAA championship last weekend.

It didn’t look as if the Lady Bears would make it an all-CIAA final for most of the night, as the Vulcans refused to give in to Shaw’s size and athleticism.  Leading 36-33 at the half, Cal took its biggest lead of the night at 52-44 with 12:09 remaining when Megan Kermond hit a three-pointer.

Shaw answered with an 18-3 run over the next eight-plus minutes that beagn with nine straight points.  Janelle Harrison started the run with a three-pointer, and Demaria Liles followed with a layup.  Another layup by Liles cut the lead to 52-51 and when Kyria Buford hit a jumper in the paint the Lady Bears were ahead for the first time since midway through the first half at 53-52 with 8:47 remaining.

Kayla Smith would interrupt the burst with a pair of free throws, but Shaw eventually gained a seven-point advantage at 62-55 with 3:38 to play on Buford’s three-pointer.

Cal would make one last run at the Lady Bears, closing to within three at 66-63 with 1;19 remaining on Stephanie Michael’s three-pointer.  Shaw would close out the win with a pair of free throws by Liles and Brittney Spencer.

Liles and Buford led the way for Shaw with 23 and 16 points, respectively.  Liles, a 6’1” senior, recorded a double-double with 12 rebounds, while Buford added 7 boards.

Cal actually outrebounded the taller Lady Bears 50-42 but could not overcome 24 turnovers that led to a huge 33-9 advantage in points off turnovers.  In addition, Shaw took advantage of its size to outscore the Vulcans 34-16 in the paint.

Danielle Luckett led the Vulcans with 15 points, while Amy Johns added 13 and Michael 10.  Smith saw her brilliant career come to an end as the PSAC West Player of the Year was held to six points, but still contributed 11 rebounds and five blocked shots.