FSU Women Drops 56-55 One-point Loss to Ranked 15-2 Benedict College
It all came down to the final six seconds in Capel Arena on Saturday afternoon in Fayetteville State's non-league game against Benedict College.
The Broncos overcame a 19-8 first quarter gap to trail 25-24 at halftime. Down by three (40-37) going into the fourth quarter, Fayetteville State held its largest lead of five points (52-47) with 2:50 left in the game. FSU lost that lead but regained it (54-53) with a layup by Katisha Hyman (Chocowinity, NC) with 12 seconds left.
After an immediate Benedict timeout, Shantel Bennett (Sanford, NC) stole the ball with eight seconds left and Jada Faison was foul on an offensive rebound with six seconds remaining. After the two-point Bronco lead (55-53) with one-of-two free throws made, Benedict raced down the court to score on a Wykira Johnson layup with the foul to tie the game 55 with three ticks left on the clock. The bonus free throw and a blocked desperation shot for would seal the victory for the visiting Tigers.
Benedict improved to 15-2 overall while the Broncos dropped to 9-8.
Shantel Bennett led the game with 16 points and five rebounds. Aminata Johnson (Durham, NC) and Katisha Hyman finished with 13 points each. The Broncos were 12-of-20 from the free throw line and was 5-of-8 in the fourth quarter.
Ay'Anna Bey and Wykira Johnson both finished with 15 points for Benedict. For the game, the Tigers were 7-of-11 at the line and 5-of-7 in the fourth quarter. BC out-rebounded FSU by three boards (38-35) but scored 11 second chance points to the Broncos eight.
Fayetteville State will host a designated conference game against Virginia State on Wednesday (January 22)