Bluefield, WV – Bluefield State University women's basketball fell to Johnson C. Smith 69 - 61 on Wednesday. The Big Blue move to 7-9 (0-5 CIAA) with the Golden Bulls moving to 4-10 (1-6 CIAA).
The Golden Bulls scored the first three points of the matchup, but a three from Azariah Binford quickly evened the score. Later in the quarter, a layup from Jasmine Jenkins sparked a seven-point run for the Big Blue to take the 12-5 lead. The Golden Bulls closed out the quarter with a five-point run to cut the Big Blue lead to three going into the second. Jenkins opened the second with a three-point play to extend the Big Blue lead to six. Midway through the quarter, a jumper from Caiyah Smith pushed the Big Blue lead to eight. A three from Zaynah Robinson with 25 seconds left gave the Big Blue the 34-30 lead, but a trip to the line for the Golden Bulls cut the Big Blue lead to three going into the half.
A layup by Aniyah Vanhook at the 3:14 mark gave the Big Blue their largest lead of the night at 11. The Golden Bulls outscored the Big Blue 6-1 to go into the final quarter down by six. The Golden Bulls took back the lead, 55-54, but Jenkins answered with a three-point play to take back the lead for the Big Blue. With 4:09 left, a free throw by Binford extended the Big Blue lead to three. The Golden Bulls scored 11 unanswered points to take down the Big Blue 69-61.
Jasmine Jenkins led all players with 21 points and 10 rebounds.
Final: Bluefield State 69, Johnson C. Smith 61
Up Next: Bluefield State vs. Elizabeth City State Saturday, January 18th at 2 p.m.
