Box Score ETTRICK, Va. – Saint Augustine's University pulled away late in a big CIAA women's basketball win over Virginia State University on Wednesday, February 4, 2015.
Guard Regime McCombs (Jr./Greenville, SC) scored 19 points including 5 of 9 three-pointers as the Lady Falcons used a 15-6 run in the final six minutes to gain a 77-69 victory over the Northern Division co-leaders in Daniel Gymnasium.
Guard LaKiya Rouse (Jr./Greensboro, NC) added 15 points, forward Terri Jacobs (Jr./McDonough, GA) had 13 points, 12 rebounds and five steals and guard Jeanne-Marie Wilson (Jr./Temple Hills, MD) scored 12 points for the Lady Falcons (5-6 CIAA, 11-9 overall), who trailed 63-62 with 6:02 remaining after leading much of the second half.
McCombs, one of the CIAA's top three-point shooters, started the game-winning run with a three-pointer. Rouse scored seven points during that stretch including a free throw which pushed the Lady Falcons ahead 77-67 with 1:07 left.
The Lady Falcons, who are tied for third in the Southern Division, limited the Lady Trojans to only two field goals during the run including a layup by Dashae Jones for the game's final points with 57 seconds remaining. The defense of the Lady Falcons forced seven turnovers in the last six minutes.
"This was a great win tonight," Lady Falcons' Head Coach Rachel Bullard said. "Our focus [for the game] was cohesiveness, effort, and, execution. Everyone was on the same page, and it felt great to get a win on the road. It is back to the drawing board tomorrow."
Guard Shanika Harris (Jr./Richmond, VA) scored eight points and guard Porscha Walton (Jr./Chesterfield, VA) had five points and six assists for the Lady Falcons. Guard Li'Esa Barnett (Sr./Raeford, NC) chipped in five points.
The Lady Falcons were 8 of 15 for 53 percent behind the three-point arc. They made 5 of 9 three-pointers in the second half which helped them erase a 37-33 halftime deficit and outscore the Lady Trojans 44-32 in the second half.
McCombs led the three-point shooting barrage, but she had support. Harris was 2 of 3 and Barnett made her only three-point attempt.
In addition to their three-point shooting, the Lady Falcons shot 45 percent and connected on 13 of 19 free throw attempts in the second half. Eight of their 12 steals were in the final 20 minutes with Jacobs getting four steals.
Tiffanie Adair scored 21 points for the Lady Trojans (6-5 CIAA, 14-7 overall). Jones added 19 points and Cana Merriott scored 11 points.
Wilson scored all 12 of her points in the first half for the Lady Falcons. Adair had 15 points and Jones added 10 points for the Lady Trojans, who held a four-point halftime lead.
The tide turned in the Lady Falcons' favor in the second half. The Lady Trojans shot 44 percent but were 2 of 12 from three-point land in the final 20 minutes. The Lady Falcons forced 13 turnovers which they converted into 16 points. The Lady Trojans were 6 of 6 from the free throw line.
The Lady Falcons return to divisional play on Saturday, February 7, when they host Winston-Salem State University on the Harvey D. Heartley, Sr. Court at Emery Gymnasium. Game time is 2 p.m.
