Women's Basketball 1/5/2015 11:11:00 AM

Dorsey Scores Season-High 18 In Loss To Jacksonville

Box Score

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Savannah State senior Bria Dorsey played 37 minutes of a close 41-45 loss to Jacksonville on Sunday, and netted a season-high 18 points in her strongest outing this season.

The Lady Tigers led the second to last nonconference game of the season for 27 minutes, before the visitors took over in the final six minutes.

With 6:41 on the clock in the second period, Jacksonville's Loliya Briggs drained a 3-pointer to tie the game at 33 all. The tie opened a thrilling few minutes of basketball.

The 3-pointer also sparked an 11-0 run for the Dolphins. With 3:54 on the clock they led SSU 41-33. It was the visitors first lead since a 5-4 advantage seven minutes into the first period.

30 seconds later, SSU freshman Deyja Brown hit a short jumper to spark a run for the Lady Tigers. Dorsey followed Brown with four points, and Jasmine Norman capped the 8-0 run with a layup to tie the game at 41 with 2:03 remaining.

Jacksonville missed a layup on the ensuing possession, thanks to a block and rebound from Tiyonda Davis. With 1:26 to play, D. Brown turned the ball over and Jacksonville took another shot at regaining their lead.

Sherranda Reddick missed a 3-pointer, but Briona Brown grabbed the rebound and put it in for a 43-41 Jacksonville lead with 1:06 to play.

SSU and Jacksonville both turned the ball over in the subsequent two possessions. The Lady Tigers regained possession, trailing by two points with 39 seconds to play.

In an attempt to take the lead, Norman took a long 3-point shot that fell short and Jacksonville regained possession with 19 seconds to play.

On their transition, SSU fouled to regain possession. Reddick drained both free-throws for the final 4-point spread. She led the Dolphins on the night with 12 points.

Early in the first period, good defense from both teams held the scoring to a minimum.

SSU freshman Tanease Richardson drained a layup with 12:58 on the clock to lift SSU to a 6-5 lead. Shanikwa Buie and Dorsey followed with good layups to extend SSU's lead to 10-5.

The Dolphins clawed back later in the half. With 7:16 to play, B. Brown drained a layup to cut SSU's lead to 16-12.

The Lady Tigers, led by Dorsey, found some room to work though in the final minutes of the half. A 7-1 run, capped by a layup from Dorsey, with 1:34 to play lifted the Lady Tigers to a 23-13 lead.

Undeterred, Jacksonville finished the half strong. Reddick hit a 3-pointer and a short jumper for the period's final five points. SSU lead 23-18 at the half. It's only the second game the Lady Tigers have lost after leading at the half.

SSU's leader, redshirt senior Ezinne Kalu, is benched after suffering a concussion in their last game against Hartford. Her return date remains uncertain.

The Lady Tigers fall to 4-8 on the season and continue a seven-game losing streak. Their last win came in Tiger Arena on Dec. 4 against Florida. Jacksonville was the first game in the last five that the team has not scored at least 50 points.

Kalu still leads the team in the stats, averaging 17.5 points a game. Norman trails with a 10.7 average. Dorsey is averaging 28.0 minutes and 8.4 points a game.

SSU returns to action on Tuesday, Jan. 6 when they face Allen University in their final nonconference game of the season. Tip off in Tiger Arena is set for 6 p.m.

The Lady Tigers open conference play on the road this coming weekend against North Carolina A&T State and North Carolina Central.

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Players Mentioned

#1 Bria Dorsey: G; 5' 7"; Senior

#4 Jasmine Norman: G; 5' 9"; Senior

#23 Ezinne Kalu: G; 5' 8"; Senior

#44 Tiyonda Davis: C; 6' 2"; Sophomore

#14 Tanease Richardson: F; 6' 0"; Freshman

#15 Shanikwa Buie: F; 5' 10"; Freshman

#24 Deyja Brown: G; 5' 8"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#1 Bria Dorsey
: 5' 7"; Senior
: G

#4 Jasmine Norman
: 5' 9"; Senior
: G

#23 Ezinne Kalu
: 5' 8"; Senior
: G

#44 Tiyonda Davis
: 6' 2"; Sophomore
: C

#14 Tanease Richardson
: 6' 0"; Freshman
: F

#15 Shanikwa Buie
: 5' 10"; Freshman
: F

#24 Deyja Brown
: 5' 8"; Freshman
: G