Ronald Thornhill was a sharp shooter for Coach Stephen Joyner, Sr. with a team-high 20 points, but it wasn't enough in a 85-78 loss to St. Aug
Box Score
Raleigh, NC – The Johnson C. Smith University men's basketball team had their five-game winning streak snapped by Saint Augustine's College 85-78 Thursday evening inside Emery Gymnasium. JCSU is now 12-6 overall, 6-5 in the CIAA, and 0-1 in the Western Division. The Falcons improve to 15-3 overall, 9-2 in the conference, and 1-0 in the division.
St. Augustine's controlled the tempo and held the lead from start to finish. A big reason the Falcons were able to accomplish this feat was second chance opportunities. Johnson C. Smith lost the rebounding battle 29-11 in the first half and 48-23 for the contest. The Golden Bulls were outscored 23-6 off second chance points.
J.C. Smith trailed 41-33 at halftime. After the break, St. Augustine's was in jeopardy of losing the lead. With 18.23 on the clock, the Falcons were on top 47-38. Junior guard Ronald Thornhill (Alberta, VA) popped a three pointer, followed by two scores in the paint by senior forward James Dillard (Apex, NC) for a 7-0 scoring run. However, that would be as close to a JCSU takeover as the contest would come.
Both teams shot 43% from the field with the Golden Bulls connecting on 20 of their 46 shot attempts, including 10-of-18 from behind the arc.
Thornhill concluded the contest with a team-high 20 points, including a 6-for-10 night from the three point line. Senior forwards Dante' Drummer (Norfolk, VA) and Jerry Hollis (Charlotte, NC) pitched in with 15 and 10 points, respectively.
For the Falcons, Chris Jordan and Steven Brignol both had 20 points. Hayward Fain produced the game's only double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds.
Johnson C. Smith returns home to face Chowan University on Saturday, January 30th. Saturday's game marks the JCSU Coaches vs. Cancer contest and Alumni Basketball Recognition Night.
Coaches vs. Cancer is a nationwide collaboration between the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) that empowers basketball coaches, their teams, and local communities to make a difference in the fight against cancer. Both the coaching staff for JCSU and Chowan will be on the sidelines in dress attire and sneakers.
Tip-off in this CIAA Western Divisional match-up is scheduled for 7:30 pm inside Brayboy Gymnasium.
