Ronald Thornhill (#5) scored 23 and Trevin Parks (#11) had 22 points in the Golden Bulls' 77-75 victory over ECSU
Box Score vs. ECSU
Elizabeth City, NC – The Johnson C. Smith University men's basketball team hung on for a 77-75 victory against Elizabeth City State University on Saturday evening inside the RL Vaughn Center. JCSU wins their fifth game in a row to improve to 7-4 overall and 3-0 in the CIAA, while the Vikings move to 7-3 overall and 1-1 in the conference.
Despite only leading by two at halftime (38-36), JCSU shot 55.2% (16-29) from the floor and led through much of the period. A lay-up from senior forward
Earl Jackson (Temple Hills, MD) gave the Golden Bulls a 38-30 advantage with 2:35 in the first. ECSU scored six unanswered points (four free throws and a layup) to go into the half trailing by two.
Senior guard
Ronald Thornhill (Alberta, VA) was 5-of-7 from the field, including 2-of-4 shooting from the arc for 12 points. Sophomore center
Delonta Boyd (District Heights, MD) had seven points and six rebounds at the break.
Deon Rice and Trent Bivens paced the Vikings' scoring with 12 and 11 points, respectively in the first half.
In the second half, Elizabeth City State eventually captured the lead with a three-pointer from Cole (63-60) with 6:00 minutes left to play. Thornhill responded on the other end with a three to tie the game. After another score from Cole (a lay-up), junior guard
James Otey (Roanoke, VA) nailed a three of his own to give JCSU a 66-65 lead with 4:22 remaining.
Down 72-70 with 1:10 on the clock, Marquie Cook was charged with a personal and technical foul; sending sophomore guard
Trevin Parks (Hickory, NC) to the free throw to shoot four shots. Parks connected on all four free throws for a 76-70 JCSU advantage.
The Vikings would not go away, cutting the lead to one in the final seconds. Cooke scored on a lay-up and Paul Goldsmith produced a steal, lay-up and drew a foul on the score. The free throw from Goldsmith completed a three-point play and made the score 76-75 with 44 seconds to play in favor of J.C. Smith.
Cooke missed a three pointer for the Vikings final field goal attempt and Otey sealed the victory with one free throw at the line.
The Golden Bulls shot an impressive 51% (29-57) from the floor and 53% (10-19) from the three point line. The backcourt duo of Thornhill and Parks combined for 45 points, each had four three pointers. Thornhill had a game-high 23 points, three boards, and two assists. Parks produced 22 points, seven assists, and four rebounds. Boyd collected a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds (nine defensive).
Cole finished with 23 points and eight rebounds, followed by Bivens with 14 points.
Johnson C. Smith returns to Charlotte for their next matchup against Lincoln University (PA) on Monday, January 10th. Game time is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. inside the Grady Cole Center. In case of inclement weather on Monday, January 10th, please visit
www.goldenbullsports.com for an update of game scheduling.
