Ronald Thornhill scored 11 points in his season debut including three 3-pointers
Charlotte, NC – The Johnson C. Smith University men's basketball team kicked off the annual Wendy's Claude Saunders Tip-off Classic Friday evening with a 68-57 win over Allen University inside Brayboy Gymnasium. JCSU improves to 2-0 overall, while Allen drops to 3-3 in the standings.
The Golden Bulls were in control from the very beginning of the contest. J.C. Smith did not trail at any point in the game and outshot Allen from the field in both halves. Sophomore guard
Ronald Thornhill (Alberta, VA) returned to the line-up after missing the first game for violating a team policy. Thornhill shot 33 percent from the three-point line (3-9) and scored all his points in the first half. He finished with 11 points, six assists, and two steals in 36 minutes of play.
Allen had the bulk of their points scored by guards Demetrice Terrell and Bryon Littlejohn. Terrell had a team-high 17 points, six assists, and shot 4-for-10 from the arch. Littlejohn pitched in with 16 points, four assists, and 5-for-11 shooting from the three point line.
JCSU topped the Yellow Jackets in points in the paint 34-12 and second chance points 16-7. Allen was beat on the glass 42-25 and Johnson C. Smith had an impressive 50 percent shooting night from the field (29-58) and a perfect 7-for-7 at the free throw line.
Senior forwards
Jerry Hollis (Charlotte, NC) and
James Dillard (Apex, NC) each produced 16 points. Dillard also grabbed 12 rebounds for his first double-double this season.
Earlier in the day, Felician College defeated St. Paul's College 52-50. Day two of the Wendy's Claude Saunders Tip-off Classic will feature St. Paul's versus Allen and JCSU versus Felician on Saturday, November 21st. The Lady Golden Bulls will play Wingate University at 2:00 pm, St. Paul's vs. Allen tips at 4:00 pm, and the Golden Bulls square against Felician at 6:00 pm inside Brayboy Gymnasium.
