Ronald Thornhill was 6-of-12 from the 3-pt line with a game-high 20 points and four assists
Box Score
Richmond, VA – The Johnson C. Smith University men's basketball team topped Virginia Union University 64-61 Saturday evening inside a packed Barco-Stevens Hall. JCSU stretches their winning streak to four games and improve to 11-5 overall and 5-4 in the CIAA. The Panthers are still in good standings, but fall to 12-6 overall and 9-4 in the conference.
These two teams met earlier this season (01/04/10) inside the Grady Cole Center and VA Union captured an 87-77 victory. J.C. Smith displayed a lot of energy and burst throughout the first half. Around the eight minute mark, senior forward
Jerry Hollis (Charlotte, NC) splashed a jumper to give JCSU a 21-16 lead. However, VUU outscored Johnson C. Smith 16-6 to close out the period and go into halftime ahead 32-27.
Both teams were pretty even in statistics at the break with the glaring disparity coming from the free throw percentages. The Panthers connected on 8-of-11 attempts for a 72.7% from the charity stripe, while the Golden Bulls only shot 33% from the FT line (3-9). The lead changed eight times and was tied four in the opening. Hollis had 13 points in the first, followed by junior guard
Ronald Thornhill (Alberta, VA) with eight.
The second half was just as tightly contested as the initial. Virginia Union last had the lead with six and half minute left to play, but the game went down to the wire. With just 30 seconds remaining, Hollis hit two free throws to put JCSU up 62-57. VUU forward Greg Redford scored in the post on the next possession, followed by a Golden Bull turnover and another score inside by Redford.
Senior forward
James Dillard (Apex, NC) gave J.C. Smith a much needed lay-up on their next possession for a 64-61 advantage with 14 ticks left. Guard Braxton Byerson had a good look at a three from the right side on the Panthers' final possession, but could not connect as time expired.
The Golden Bulls shot 50% from the field (24-48) and the three point line (7-14). Thornhill was 6-of-12 from the field, all from behind the arc for a game-high 20 points. Hollis (current CIAA Player of the Week) put in work again with 19 points, five boards, and two steals. Dillard rounded out the top scorers for JCSU with 16 points, nine rebounds, and three blocks.
Juan Richard led VUU with 15 points and Redford pitched in nine points and eight rebounds.
“We showed a better understanding defensively in the second half and Thornhill shot the ball pretty well for us,” said JCSU head coach #Stephen Joyner, Sr#. “Now is not the time to get lax, it was a good win, but we're turning our focus to Virginia State now.”
Johnson C. Smith will return to action on Monday, January 25th against Virginia State University in Petersburg, VA. Game time is slated for 7:30 pm inside Daniel Gymnasium. The Golden Bulls eased past the Trojans 88-57 in their last match-up.
