Dante' Drummer scored a career-high 17 points in the 72-68 loss to Felician College
Charlotte, NC - The Johnson C. Smith University men's basketball team suffered a 72-68 loss against Felician College Saturday evening in the Wendy's Claude Saunders Tip-off Classic JCSU goes to 2-1 after their first loss this season, while Felician improves to 3-0.
The Golden Bulls held a narrow 36-34 lead at halftime. J.C. Smith shot 59.3% from the field (16-27) in the opening period. Senior forwards Dante' Drummer (Norfolk, VA) and
James Dillard (Apex, NC) each had 10 points, and junior guard
Ronald Thornhill (Alberta, VA) scored eight in the first half.
Ethan Kennedy hit a jumper in the paint to give Felician a 44-43 lead five minutes into the second half. The Golden Falcons would not relinquish the lead for the remainder of the contest. Things became very interesting in the closing seconds after a three-pointer from junior guard
Ryan Carter (Charlotte, NC). JCSU trailed 69-63 with 45 seconds to play; Carter launched a three from the right wing and connected on his only shot of the game.
Down just one possession (69-66) with 27.5 seconds left, but JCSU could not recapture the lead. Felician sealed the game with three made free throws in the final ticks.
Felician was 45% from the field (27-60) and their bench out performed JCSU 11-2. JCSU was better from the field (28-51 54.9%), the free throw line (10-12 83.3%), and the three point line (2-10 20%). The Golden Falcons out-rebounded Johnson C. Smith 37-25, which allowed them 17 second chance points.
Each team had four finish with double figures. Antoine Obery had a game-high 22 points, Devon Young scored 17 points with four assists, Suquan Gary 12 points, and Ethan Kennedy 11 points for Felician.
Drummer scored a team-high 17 points for the Golden Bulls. Thornhill had 15 points and four assists and senior forward
Brian Mobley (Charlotte, NC) produced 13 points and four boards. Dillard carried three fouls into the second half, but finished with 14 points and eight rebounds. Senior forward
Jerry Hollis did not play in this contest.
"We lacked discipline on defense and we didn't rebound," says JCSU head coach #Steve Joyner, Sr.# "Hats off to Felician, they're a strong team and I'd like to thank them for participating in our classic, as well as St. Paul's College and Allen University. We'll get back to work and get ready for Elizabeth City on Monday."
The Golden Bulls face their first conference opponent (Elizabeth City State University) this season on Monday, November 23rd. Tip-off versus the Vikings is slated for 7:30 pm inside Brayboy Gymnasium.
