Trevin Parks went for a career-high 36 points in the 89-79 victory against Fayetteville State
Box Score vs. Fayetteville State
Charlotte, NC – The Johnson C. Smith University men's basketball team fought their way back into the win column with an 89-79 CIAA Southern Divisional victory against Fayetteville State University on Monday evening inside Brayboy Gymnasium. JCSU improves to 13-7 overall, 9-3 in the CIAA, and 2-3 in the Southern. FSU moves to .500 in all three standings: 10-10, 6-6, 2-2 and split the season series with the Golden Bulls.
The first opening minutes were a slugfest between these two teams. Senior forward
Earl Jackson (Temple Hills, MD) scored in the paint to knot the game up for the 7th time (18-18) with 11:08 on the clock. On the next possession, Jackson also gave J.C. Smith their last lead of the half off two free throws (20-18).
The Broncos exploded for a 15-2 scoring run, including three pointers for a 33-22 advantage. Johnson C. Smith trailed by double digit as the first half was drawing to a close. Down by 11 with 3:45 remaining until halftime, JCSU outscored Fayetteville State 6-1 to cut their halftime deficit to 42-36. Sophomore guard
Trevin Parks (Hickory, NC) carried the load offensively with 15 points in the first.
Fayetteville State maintained an advantage into the second half. JCSU was down 52-41, but quick scores shrunk the FSU lead. Parks stroked a three, followed by another three pointer from freshman forward
Antwan Wilkerson (Greensboro, NC) after a Broncos' miss. Sophomore guard
Thaddeus Williams (Salisbury, NC) brought the Golden Bulls within three (52-49) off a layup with 13:01 left to play.
JCSU eventually tied the score 72-72 with two more free throws from
Earl Jackson. FSU had been charged with two technical fouls in a 90 second time span. After a missed layup from Travis Marcus with 4:24 on the clock; senior guard
Ronald Thornhill (Alberta, VA) came down and popped a trey ball to give J.C. Smith their first lead (75-72) since 10:48 in the first half.
Wilkerson brought Brayboy to their feet with a thunderous jam for a 79-77 Golden Bulls' lead at the 2:24 mark. Johnson C. Smith outscored FSU 10-2 as time expired to cap off the comeback victory.
Parks surpassed his previous career-high (35) with 36 points and five steals. Jackson nearly closed in on a double-double with 16 points and eight rebounds. Thornhill pitched in 13 points and junior guard
James Otey (Roanoke, VA) produced nine points and three boards.
J.C. Smith shot 48% (27-56) from the floor and 70% (28-40) from the free throw line. The Broncos fared slightly better from the field at 52% (29-56), but committed 24 turnovers.
Tyrell Tate paced the Broncos with 18 points and Tim Plummer contributed with 13 points and seven rebounds.
JCSU returns to the court for a divisional road game versus Saint Augustine's College on Saturday, February 12th. Game time is slated for 7:30 p.m. inside Emery Gymnasium.
