Lady Dawgs Pull Away Late in Semifinal Win Over Philander Smith

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Player of the Year Maya Buckhanon led three Lady Bulldogs in double figures with 19 points, as the Fisk University Lady Bulldogs (20-8) defeated the Philander Smith University Lady Panthers (23-7) 65-49 in Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Semifinal action from Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

History was made by Fisk as the victory gave the Lady Bulldogs their first GCAC title game appearance in history. It is also the first time since 1986 that any women's basketball team has been to a conference championship game. That same 1986 was the last one to at least win 20 games as well before today.

After Fisk controlled most of the game, Philander cut the lead to two points at the 5:44 mark of the fourth quarter. The Lady Bulldogs then finished the game by outscoring Philander 17-3 the rest of the way.

Liz Gibbs added 17 points, and Zipporah Davis had her second strong game in a row knocking down 15 points. A'Niya Young had another "Dennis Rodman" "-like performance grabbing 12 rebounds, 11 deflections, and three steals. Fisk's effort is what impressed Fisk Head Coach Victoria Crawford.

"My voice is gone, let's start there," said Crawford. "I'm excited for these young ladies in this locker room. They fought so hard. We are asking them to do a lot. With great pressure comes great reward. Overall, we represented Fisk University very well. We are ecstatic to be in this position.'

The Lady Bulldogs will take on the top-seeded Rust Lady Bearcats for the championship game on Sunday at 2 p.m. Rust has won the last three GCAC title games.