Antwan Wilkerson produced a double-double of 16 points and 14 rebounds in the 97-89 victory over rival Livingstone
Box Score
Box Score vs. Livingstone
Salisbury, NC – The Johnson C. Smith University men's basketball team outlasted Livingstone College to earn a 97-89 divisional win on Saturday evening at Trent Gymnasium. JCSU improves to 13-6 overall, 6-3 in the CIAA, and 2-1 in the division; while the Blue Bears move to 14-4 overall, 6-3 conference, and 2-1 in the Southern.
The opening half was a classic back and forth, run and shoot between two longtime rivals. There were nine ties and seven lead changes before going to halftime even at 40-40. JCSU shot a solid 57% (17-30) from the field, compared to 38% (17-44) shooting for Livingstone. The Golden Bulls also connected on 4-of-8 (50%) three-pointers, while Livingstone only made one out of 10 attempts (10%). However, the Blue Bears did out-rebound JCSU 27-15.
Senior guard
Trevin Parks (Hickory, NC) got going early for 12 points in the first half, followed by junior forward
Robert Williams (Atlanta, GA) with 10 points and two assists. Eladio Espinoza and Mark Thomas paced Livingstone with seven points each.
The second half was tightly contested but slightly favored towards the Golden Bulls. At the 11:40 mark, Thomas hit a three for LC to cut their deficit to 64-63. JCSU answered with a three-pointer from Parks and then a layup by junior forward
Antwan Wilkerson (Greensboro, NC). Down 69-63, a three by Anthony Welch brought Livingstone within one possession.
The Golden Bulls created some breathing room with an 8-1 scoring burst over the next two minutes. Sophomore forward
Emilio Parks (Ashtabula, OH) converted a score in the post and was fouled in the process. Parks made the free throw to give JCSU a 77-67 advantage with 7:43 left to play.
Livingstone continued to put up a strong fight, but never got closer than being five points behind. The Golden Bulls led by as much as 14 (97-83) with less than a minute remaining. JCSU took out the starters and the Blue Bears managed to score some irrelevant points in the closing seconds. This game was extremely competitive throughout, despite the final score.
Trevin Parks finished with a game-high 34 points, along with four assists and three rebounds. Wilkerson had a double-double of 16 points and 14 rebounds.
Emilio Parks ended the evening with 19 points and five boards, while Williams added 17 points and five assists. Junior guard
Richard Daniels, Jr. (Winston-Salem, NC) orchestrated the offense with seven assists and five points.
Thomas led the Blue Bears with 21 points, including 4-of-9 (44%) shooting from beyond the arc. Omar Ford-Bey and Welch pitched in 17 and 10 points, respectively.
JCSU made 63% (19-30) of their shot attempts in the second half to finish shooting 60% (36-60) for the game. Livingstone did manage to win the rebounding battle 48-30 and outscore them 25-6 in second chance points.
Other than the 103 points the Golden Bulls scored against Belmont Abbey on New Year's Eve, this was the most points by JCSU this season.
Johnson C. Smith returns home for their next game against Winston-Salem State University on Wednesday, January 30th. Tip-off for this divisional matchup is slated for 7:30 p.m. at Brayboy Gymnasium.
