Brian Mobley had a career night with a game-high 28 points off 12-of-13 shooting
Box Score
Charlotte, NC – The JCSU Golden Bulls basketball team inched a little closer to the second spot in the Western Division with a 66-56 victory over Chowan University Thursday evening inside Brayboy Gymnasium. Johnson C. Smith improves to 17-9 overall, 11-8 in the CIAA, and 5-4 in the Western Division; while the Hawks fall to 16-9 overall, 12-7 in the conference, and 5-4 in the division.
In the first half, Chowan had JCSU on their toes holding a 15-14 lead nearly nine minutes into the period. The Golden Bulls got ahead with back to back scores in the post. A three-pointer from Charles Nelson tied the game at 22 apiece with 8:25 remaining.
J.C. Smith responded with eight unanswered points including three pointers from junior guard
Ronald Thornhill (Alberta, VA) and senior forward
Brian Mobley (Charlotte, NC). Chowan trailed by eight at the half (36-28) and only shot 37% (10-27) from the floor.
The Golden Bulls followed the leadership of Mobley and senior forward
Jerry Hollis in the opening. Mobley was 6-of-6 from the field, including two three-pointers for 14 points and three rebounds. Hollis produced 10 points off 5-of-7 shooting (71.4%) with three boards. JCSU shot 60% from the field in the first half.
Johnson C. Smith maintained a double digit lead for the majority of the second period. The Hawks were outscored 14-2 inside the paint in the second and committed nine turnovers.
Mobley stayed on fire finishing with a career-high 28 points off 12-of-13 shooting and four three-pointers. Hollis earned a double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds (10 defensive). Senior forward
James Dillard (Apex, NC) pitched in with 10 points and three boards.
“I felt we showed improvement mentally, but I'm still concerned about our offensive rebounding,” said JCSU head coach
Stephen Joyner, Sr. “We did a good job executing tonight, but hopefully our team understands that Livingstone is a different opponent, that's bigger and faster than our opponent was tonight.”
Johnson C. Smith will honor their senior student-athletes in the season finale against cross town divisional rival Livingstone College on Saturday, February 20th. Tip-off in this Golden Explosion Senior Night is scheduled for 7:30 pm inside Brayboy Gymnasium.
