Robert Williams got the Golden Bulls going early with nine 1st half points; he finished with 13 in the 75-70 loss to Queens
Box Score vs. Queens
Charlotte, NC – The Johnson C. Smith University men's basketball team fell 75-70 to Queens University of Charlotte on Wednesday evening inside the Ovens Athletic Center. JCSU moves to 2-3 overall, while the Royals improve to 4-2 in the standing.
The Golden Bulls paced the first half with solid long range shooting. Back to back three pointers from senior guard
James Otey (Roanoke, VA) and sophomore guard
Robert Williams (Atlanta, GA) positioned JCSU with a five point cushion (13-8) after four minutes of play. Otey connected again from beyond the arc to elevate the lead to eight at the midway point.
With 2:09 remaining in the first half, JCSU pushed the advantage to double digits (40-30) off two free throws from Williams. The Royals closed the gap with a 7-2 scoring run to end the period. Johnson C. Smith led 42-37 at halftime.
JCSU shot an impressive 59% (16-27) from the field in the first half. The team also connected on 6-of-7 (86%) free throw attempts and won the rebounding battle 18-13. Queens stayed close with 17-32 (53%) shooting from the floor.
Williams led all scorers with nine points. Otey and junior guard
Trevin Parks (Hickory, NC) chipped in with seven points each before the break. Daniel Bailey and Sam Johnson both had eight points for the Royals.
In the second, the Golden Bulls managed to stay in front through the first 12 minutes. The Royals made a strong push around the nine minute mark. After tying the game at 59-59; Brent Evans went to the basket for a layup to give Queens their first lead since the 17:19 mark in the first half, 61-59.
After a Golden Bulls' turnover, the Royals scored again in the post for a four point lead (63-59) with less than six minutes to play. Otey responded on the other end with a clutch three pointer from the left side.
The game would go back and forth over the next few minutes, including JCSU recapturing the lead. Parks knocked down two free throws with 1:48 on the clock for a 68-67 advantage.
Nate Blackburn made good on a three from deep that brought the Royals' crowd to their feet. Parks drove to the hole and tied the game at 70-70 with 45-seconds to play. Daniel Bailey scored three points the old-fashioned way. He was fouled and converted a field goal in the paint.
Otey threw up another long ball to tie the game that was slightly off target. Queens grabbed the rebound and made two free throws that sealed the win.
Parks finished with a team-high 20 points and four assists. Williams concluded his night with 13 points, three rebounds, and two assists. Otey produced 10 points, including 3-of-7 shooting from the three point line. Junior center
Delonta Boyd (Washington, D.C.) was a perfect 5-of-5 from the floor for 10 points before fouling out early in the second half.
Bailey led the Royals with a game-high 22 points along with six boards.
Johnson C. Smith will attempt to snap out of their losing funk against Belmont Abbey College on Saturday, December 3rd. Tip-off is slated for 7:00 p.m. inside the Wheeler Center in Belmont, NC.
