Boxscore
PETERSBURG, Va. - Senior guard-forward Allison Sikes (Richmond, Va.) and junior guard Brittany Torain (Warner Robins, Ga.) hit back-to-back three-pointers during a late 9-2 run to help Saint Augustine's College pull out a 70-67 CIAA women's basketball win over Virginia State Thursday at Daniel Gymnasium.
The Lady Trojans led 65-61 with 2:54 left before the Lady Falcons (13-9 overall, 7-5 CIAA) began their run. Torain, who scored a career-high 16 points, swished a trey near the top of the key to cut the deficit to one point. Sikes, who scored 12 points, capitalized on a steal by freshman forward Umeka Benson (Charlotte, N.C.) when she connected on a three-pointer from the left corner for a 67-65 Lady Falcon lead with 33 seconds left.
Benson followed Sikes' basket with another steal and two free throws for a four-point lead, but Marquilla Evans scored to bring the Lady Trojans (13-7, 7-5 CIAA) back within two points. The Lady Trojans had a chance to tie or take the lead with 10 seconds left after a five-second inbounds violation against the Lady Falcons, but Evans was off target on her jumper and senior guard-forward Le'Kiesha White (Richmond, Va.) snatched the rebound. White, who scored 16 points, was fouled on the play and she sank one of two free throws with one second left to secure the victory.
Sophomore forward Scharlawn Hubbard (Akron, Ohio) added a career-high 14 points and Benson finished with eight rebounds and three steals for the Falcons, who outrebounded VSU 42-38 in a game between the top two CIAA teams in rebounding margin. The Falcons also made 7 of 13 three pointers including the crucial threes by Sikes and Torain. The Falcons have been torrid from the three-point line of late, making 18 of 35 in their last two games.
CIAA scoring leader Rhon'Nisha Taylor scored 20 points to lead four Lady Trojans in double figures. Morgan McGill and Evans both added 11 points, and Janelle McDowell scored 10 points for the Lady Trojans, scored 36 points in the paint. The Lady Falcons made up for the Lady Trojans' inside scoring by getting 34 points off 27 Lady Trojan turnovers. This has been a trend for the Lady Falcons, who have converted opponents' errors into points all season.
The Lady Trojans shot 56 percent in the second half but couldn't shake off the Lady Falcons, who led twice in the second half on the strength of their defensive quickness. The Lady Falcons also got a boost from their reserves. Sparked by Torain and Hubbard, the Lady Falcons outscored VSU 33-17 in bench points.
Neither team scored in the game's first three minutes, but the Lady Trojans quickly took command. They opened a 21-13 lead but Sikes scored five consecutive points to ignite a 10-1 run which put the Lady Falcons in front 23-22. Taylor later connected on a three-pointer and free throw for a four-point play to send the Lady Trojans into halftime leading 31-29.
The contest featured the top two scorers in the CIAA. Taylor averaged 17.1 points and Sikes was scoring at 16.7 points a clip coming into the game.
The Lady Falcons are back home Saturday against Johnson C. Smith, ranked 25th nationally, at Emery Gymnasium. Game time is 2 p.m.
