Trevin Parks had 23 points, including 4-of-7 shooting from the 3-pt line in a heart-breaking 75-73 loss to WVSU
Box Score vs. West Virginia State
Institute, WV – The Johnson C. Smith University men's basketball team fell shy 75-73 of completing a second half comeback against West Virginia State University on Friday evening on the campus of WVSU. JCSU moves to 2-2 overall, while the Yellow Jackets improve to 3-3 in the standings. This was a non-conference matchup; West Virginia State competes out of the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WVIAC).
The Golden Bulls faced a comeback effort from the very beginning. WVSU jumped out to a 10-2 lead in the opening two and half minutes. JCSU trailed by as much as 12 in the first half. With 2:28 on the clock, junior forward
Calvin Smith (Auburn, AL) drew the Golden Bulls within one (31-30).
West Virginia State scored two more field goals before the break, including a three. JCSU faced a 36-30 deficit at halftime. Senior guard
James Otey (Roanoke, VA) had a team-high eight points and three assists in the first half. Junior center
Delonta Boyd (Washington, D.C.) also had eight points with three rebounds.
JCSU shot 33% (10-30) from the floor, but was perfect from the free throw line (6-for-6). The Yellow Jackets were slightly better, shooting 41% (15-36) from the field.
Junior guard
Trevin Parks (Hickory, NC) advanced JCSU for their one and only lead at the 6:31 mark. Following a forceful slam from sophomore
Antwan Wilkerson (Greensboro, NC), Parks drilled a three. He then sank a 16-foot jumper for a 60-59 Golden Bulls' lead.
The lead was short lived as WVSU sparked an 8-1 scoring run. Johnson C. Smith battled back and eventually tied the score 73-73 with nine seconds to play.
Howard Douglas was fouled following a steal and made both his free throws. Down 75-73 with three ticks on the clock; Otey missed a last second three point attempt.
Parks finished with a team-high 23 points. He has led the team in scoring every game this season. Boyd recorded his second double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Otey pitched in 12 points and five assists, including 30% (3-10) shooting from deep.
David Ford paced the Yellow Jackets with 24 points and eight rebounds. Johnson C. Smith improved their field goal shooting percentage from 33% to 47% (16-34) in the second half.
The Golden Bulls return to Queen City, but stay on the road to face Queen University of Charlotte on Wednesday, November 30th. Game time is slated for 7:30 p.m. inside the Ovens Athletic Center.
