Ford’s Late Free Throws Lift Voorhees Past Johnson & Wales-Charlotte, 68–64

CHARLOTTE, N.C. –In last week Tuesday, your Lady Tigers hit the road to what too seem's to becoming a rival up in Charlotte. Nedisha Ford knocked down two free throws with less than a second remaining, and Voorhees University held off a final buzzer 3-pointer to secure a 68–64 road win over Johnson & Wales-Charlotte on Tuesday evening at the JWU Wildcat Center.

The Tigers, who led by just one at halftime and by five entering the fourth quarter, relied on late-game composure at the foul line to close out a tight contest. Voorhees went 18-for-19 from the stripe as a team, including an 11-for-12 effort from Ford, to offset a Johnson & Wales squad that made a late push behind its perimeter shooting.

Ford paced Voorhees with 17 points, five rebounds and four assists, repeatedly attacking the lane and converting under pressure. Shykiera Brown added 13 points, including three 3-pointers, to go with five rebounds, five assists and three steals, while guard Kaelin Davis finished with 12 points. Brown’s 3-pointer with 1:57 remaining in the fourth quarter extended the Tigers’ lead to 58–51, providing key breathing room in the closing minutes.

Voorhees trailed 17–14 after the first quarter but tightened defensively in the second, limiting the Wildcats to 12 points and edging ahead 30–29 at the break. Zaniyah Snow’s 3-pointer with 49 seconds left in the half gave the Tigers a brief cushion before Johnson & Wales’ Maliah Preston beat the buzzer with a layup to trim the margin back to one. The Tigers then used a strong third quarter to seize control, outscoring the Wildcats 16–12, highlighted by late layups from Kimmya Epps and Davis that pushed the lead to 46–41 entering the final frame.

Johnson & Wales continued to apply pressure behind leading scorer Laylah Toscano, who finished with a game-high 22 points and six rebounds on eight made field goals. Preston orchestrated the Wildcats’ offense with nine assists, eight points and four steals, helping the hosts stay within striking distance despite shooting 30 percent from the field. A late 3-pointer from Korletta Daniels at the horn cut the deficit to 68–64 but came after Ford’s decisive free throws had effectively sealed the outcome.

Statistically, the Tigers’ efficiency made the difference. Voorhees shot 41.8 percent from the field and 50 percent from beyond the arc (4-for-8), while dominating the glass with a 46–35 rebounding advantage, including 14 offensive rebounds. Despite committing 27 turnovers against the Wildcats’ pressure defense, the Tigers’ 94.7 percent performance at the line and timely half-court execution allowed them to withstand Johnson & Wales’ 12 steals and late scoring flurry.

The win adds another positive result to a Tigers squad that has shown the ability to respond on the road throughout the season. Behind Ford’s poise at the stripe, Brown’s perimeter shooting and a collective effort on the boards, Voorhees produced the key plays in the second half to close out a tight contest away from home.