Lady Dawgs' Upset Bid Falls Short Against Johnson

NASHVILLE - In a closely contested nonconference game in Nashville, the Fisk University Lady Bulldogs fell short in their upset bid, losing to the Johnson University Royals with a final score of 69-65. The game was marked by a slow start and a challenging finish for Fisk, which ultimately determined the outcome.

"We didn't play well in the beginning or the end and that hurt us," said Fisk head coach Victoria Crawford. "I like playing out of conference games at this time of the year to give us a different challenge. Johnson is well coached, and they made plays down the stretch. We will learn from this."

Johnson University (17-4) set the tone early, scoring the first eight points of the game and establishing an early lead. The Lady Bulldogs struggled to find their rhythm, allowing Johnson to capitalize on their initial momentum. On the strength of HBCUAC Newcomer of the Week Keeli Burton-Oliver and Courtney Lumpkins' combined 16 points, Fisk (8-14) finished the quarter with a one-point lead.

The fourth quarter proved to be particularly decisive, with Johnson University outscoring Fisk 21-10. This late surge included an impressive 15-1 run to close out the game, which extinguished Fisk's hopes of securing a victory. The Lady Bulldogs' inability to match Johnson's intensity in the final minutes was a critical factor in their defeat.

In their previous encounter in December, Fisk had also faced challenges, struggling significantly in the third quarter. In that game, Johnson University outscored Fisk 35-13, leading to a 14-point loss for Fisk. The difficulties Fisk experienced in maintaining consistent performance across quarters have been a recurring issue.

Despite the loss, there were standout performances from Fisk players. Burton Oliver led the team with an impressive double-double, scoring 22 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. Lumpkins and freshman Kayla Lee each contributed ten points, providing valuable support on the offensive end.

However, the Lady Bulldogs faced setbacks with early foul trouble to key players. Jayla Bibbs, who leads the team in scoring, rebounds, and blocks, along with the energetic A'Niya Young, were both sidelined for the entire second quarter due to foul issues. Their absence was keenly felt, as it disrupted Fisk's rotations and limited their defensive capabilities.

In summary, the Fisk University Lady Bulldogs showed determination and resilience, but their slow start and inability to close out the game against Johnson University ultimately led to their defeat. Fisk was outscored by a combined 23-1 in the first three minutes and the final five minutes of the contest. The lessons learned from this game will undoubtedly serve as valuable experience as they continue their season and strive for improvement.

The Lady Bulldogs will jump back into conference play when they travel to Ohio to take on Wilberforce University on February 6.