Lady Bison Put Bulldogs In The Pen For Seventh Conference Win

The Lady Bison outshined their competition as they matched-up against the South Carolina State University Lady Bulldogs with a 23-point victory.

The final score of 69-46 gained the Lady Bison their seventh conference win (7-2 MEAC) while having a season overall of 15-7.  With a game-high of 20 points, Guard Cheyenne Curley-Payne added to the Lady Bison's victory along with the help of her teammates, as three other players ended in double figures. Forward, Kara Smith had 14 points, Guard, Zykia Brown racked up 10 points, and Forward, Saadia Doyle gained 19 points. Center Nicole Deterville also showed a strong presence in the paint as she gained two blocks.

Both teams were able to demonstrate a strong presence on the defensive end. With tied scores throughout the first half, it was a battle between the two women's teams to gain a steady lead as the first half ended 27-26; lady bison had the lead.

Brown said with an active outside defense in the post and coming out strong in the second half, the team was able to break away with the lead, which led them to the game win, partly due to the help of obtaining steals as well.  

"We had other people on the team step up offensive wise and made some shots for us," said Brown.

"Defense is always the focal point for us," said Doyle. By running defensive strategies during practices, Doyle said they were able to put to work their "two-three zone plays."

Obtaining their second consecutive win on the road, Doyle also added to her stats, recording her tenth double-double of the season adding 11 rebounds to her 19 points on Monday evening.  

"During the first half they got a lot of interior passes in our two-three zone," Doyle said.

Once the Lady Bison recognized this situation, they were able to correct their mistakes and score off the Bulldogs' stops on the offensive end.

Benched with a back injury, Lady Bison Guard Tamoria Holmes said, "they executed the plays well and everything worked." Holmes, one of the leading scorers for the team averaging 18 points per game, said the plays or defensive strategies weren't very different from other games, but she has noticed a change in the team's chemistry.

"We have gotten better of course, and with having Zykia back everyone is stepping up to do their part and she doesn't have to do as much work as she did when we were freshmen," said Holmes. "Everyone is gelling and I think everyone is having fun."

To end off the season, Doyle said the team would like to have a "20 plus victory this year." Holmes agreed and said, "we are trying to go undefeated for the rest of the season and make it to the tournament."

With seven games left in the season or conference, Brown said, "we just try to stay humble and hungry."