Michael Cooper came off the bench and scored 10 points (5-6 FG) in 10 minutes of play
Box Score
Salisbury, NC – The Johnson C. Smith University men's basketball team suffered an 82-65 loss to nearby divisional rival Livingstone College Saturday evening inside Trent Gymnasium. The Golden Bulls move to 14-7 overall, 8-6 in the CIAA, and 2-2 in the Western Division; while LC improves to 10-10 overall, 7-7 in the conference, and 2-2 in the division.
Senior forward
Jerry Hollis (Charlotte, NC) was missing from the line-up, after being forced to sit-out due to disciplinary reason. The Golden Bulls still managed to attack until the middle of the first half. Senior forward
Brian Mobley (Charlotte, NC) put JCSU ahead 16-12 with a three from outside the arc with 11:21 on the clock.
The Blue Bears scored 13 unanswered points to move out in front 25-16 with 6:28 remaining in the first half. JCSU went 6-of-9 from the free throw line and hit three field goals to close out the half. Livingstone held a 40-28 advantage at the break.
Johnson C. Smith trailed by double digit for the entire second half. A free throw from senior forward
James Dillard (Apex, NC) brought JCSU within 10 (65-55) with 5:29 remaining. Aaron Caruthers and Megail Cannon quickly pushed the lead for the Blue Bears. Caruthers and Cannon each finished with 20 points.
Despite leading the conference in 3-point shooting percentage, the Golden Bulls only shot 11% from the three-point line (2-18). Livingstone shot 54% from the floor (30-56) and 40% from beyond the arc (10-25). J.C. Smith allowed 28 defensive rebounds and lost the total rebounding battle 42-26.
Mobley finished with 14 points, two boards, and two steals before fouling out. Senior forward Dante' Drummer (Norfolk, VA) also had 14, followed by sophomore center
Michael Cooper (New Rochelle, NY) and Dillard with 10 points apiece. Junior guard
Ronald Thornhill (Alberta, VA) had a tough shooting night going 2-of-10 from the field and 1-of-8 from the three-point line for five points.
JCSU returns to their home court when they face St. Augustine's College on Monday, February 8th. The Golden Bulls already dropped a game to the Falcons earlier this season (01/28/10) 85-78 in Raleigh, NC. Game time is slated for 7:30 pm inside Brayboy Gymnasium on
WBCA Pink Zone Night.
