Head coach Stephen Joyner, Sr. is trying to work out the miscues with his team after two consecutives losses
Box Score
Charlotte, NC – The Golden Bulls men's basketball team were outscored 16-4 in overtime for an 83-71 loss to Saint Augustine's College Monday evening inside a packed Brayboy Gymnasium. JCSU falls to 14-8 overall, 8-7 in the CIAA, and 2-3 in the Western Division; while the Falcons (ranked 6th in the NCAA DII Atlantic Region) improve to 19-3, 13-2 in the conference, and an unblemished 5-0 in the division.
Johnson C. Smith came out on fire in the first half. The Golden Bulls shot an impressive 71% from the three point line (5-7) and 56% from the floor (15-27). St. Augustine's trailed by as much as 12 with less than four remaining in the period. However, the Falcons only faced a 39-34 deficit at halftime.
Senior forward
James Dillard (Apex, NC) was 6-of-7 from the field in the first for 13 points. Junior guard
Ronald Thornhill (Alberta, VA) popped three triples and two free throws for 11 at the break.
In the second half, the Golden Bulls still kept the charge strong. Halfway through the second, the Falcons were down 56-45. But, turnovers and good shooting from St. Augustine's made it a two point game (65-63) with 1:08 on the clock. Thornhill hit 1-of-2 from the FT line, followed by a lay-up from Hayward Fain that brought SAC within one (66-65). Junior guard
Ryan Carter (Charlotte, NC) was fouled and made his second free throw.
The Falcons played the perimeter on their possession and found an open Kalvin Patterson in the paint for a lay-up. Senior forward
Jerry Hollis (Charlotte, NC) took the final shot in regulation, but it rimmed out sending the game to overtime.
St. Augustine's dominated in overtime, leading from beginning to end. JCSU was out-rebounded 42-29 throughout the contest. J.C. Smith only shot 28% in the second half (6-21) and 14% in OT (1-7).
Dillard had a game-high 24 points and seven rebounds. Hollis contributed with 16 points, six boards, and five blocks in his return to the line-up. Thornhill finished with 12 points, 11 came in the first half.
Four Falcons scored double digits led by guard Chris Jordan with 24 points. Brandon Hickson had 14 points, followed by Fain and Patterson with 12 points each.
JCSU will return to the court on Thursday, February 11th against Chowan University in Murfreesboro, NC. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 pm inside the Helms Center on the campus of Chowan.
