Johnson C. Smith's Golden Bulls are out to earn a place in the school's basketball history.

PHOTO/CURTIS WILSON

Johnson C. Smith guard Ashley Chase (1) and the Golden Bulls will try to win an NCAA women's tournament game for the first time in school history Friday. JCSU, the eighth seed in the South Atlantic region, plays top-seeded Wingate at Francis Marion.

The women's program is 0-3 in the NCAA tournament going into Friday's first-round game against Wingate at Francis Marion University in Marion, S.C. After a week of sweating out the selection process, JCSU (21-9) made the South Atlantic region as the eighth seed.

"We're very excited about the opportunity," Bulls coach Vanessa Taylor said. "One of our goals was to compete regionally, and meet that goal elevates what we're doing in the CIAA."

Smith, which lost the CIAA championship game to Shaw, and top-seeded Wingate (23-7), the South Atlantic Conference champion, split a pair of regular season games. The Bulls won 71-69 in overtime Nov. 17 at Queens and the Bulldogs prevailed 86-45 on Jan. 7 in Wingate.

"Postseason play is much different," said Taylor, who is 0-1 in NCAA games at JCSU. "It's important we continue to fine-tune what we do well. Wingate is the No. 1 seed, so we know they will be tough."

Anna Atkinson, who averages 15.1 points and 8.3 assists per game, leads a balanced attack for Wingate, which includes Kasey Gillis and Kate Edwards at 12 points an outing. The Bulldogs like to run, averaging 79 points per game while allowing 71.7.

Smith, which averages 60.8 points per game,  will try to put the brakes on the Bulldogs' running game.

"They've got a good point guard in (Atkinson)," Taylor said. "We have to slow her down."

For Smith to succeed, the Bulls' best players - forward Kyria Buford, guard Ashley Chase and center Rochelle Boddie - will have to be productive.

"We've got to get maximum production from our core," Taylor said. "In the postseason, you also have to get maximum effort from your bench, too."

Buford averages 15.4 points a game for Smith, the only Bull in double-figures.

Tournament experience could become a factor as well. Wingate has been to the playoffs 10 times in school history, with four straight appearances since 2005.

Smith has three players on its roster from the 2006 playoff team in Boddie, Janae Jackson and Shemika Jones.
"It's a little unfamiliar for us," Taylor said. We've been there twice in the seven years I've been here and we're hoping the second time around is the charm."

Also: Wingate is coached by Barbara Nelson, who built Providence Day into one of Mecklenburg County's top programs before leaving for Wingate in 2007.