CHARLOTTE, NC (Feb 21) – On Tuesday, Shakeisha Washington (Sr./Atlanta, GA) scored 11 points for Saint Augustine's University in a 73-40 CIAA Tournament women's first-round loss to Virginia State University at Bojangles Coliseum.
Quiera Gilmore (R-Fr./Charlotte, NC) added eight points and Kiana Clark (Fr./Queens, NY) had three steals for the Lady Falcons. Kaaliya Williams (Fr./Richmond, VA) chipped in six points and five rebounds and Paulette Addison (Jr./Wilmington, NC) added five points and five rebounds.
The Lady Falcons led early in the game. Nadjae Stokes (Fr./Roanoke, VA) scored a jumper for a 17-15 lead but the Trojans went on an 18-4 run for a 33-21 halftime lead. The Trojans expanded the lead to 52-24 in the third quarter and coasted the rest of the way.
Mia Fitts scored 16 points to lead four Trojan double-figure scorers. Seeded third in the Northern Division, the Trojans (20-7 overall) advanced to play Livingstone College in the quarterfinal round on Wednesday, Feb. 22.
Both teams shot 30 percent from the floor but the Trojans outrebounded the Lady Falcons 47-36. The Trojans held a 21-8 advantage on the offensive glass which led to an 18-1 edge in second chance points.
The loss concluded the season for the Lady Falcons (3-26 overall), seeded sixth in the Southern Division. Though the record was less than stellar, Head Coach Jarita Crump said the team improved during the season.
"They played with more intensity," Crump said. "They learned to give their all on the floor. Their effort was much better in the second half in the season."
Washington and Teeria Vaughan (Walterboro, SC), both seniors, played their final collegiate game Tuesday. The Lady Falcons return 11 student-athletes next season including six who were freshmen this season.
