Antwan Wilkerson produced a double-double of 13 points and 15 rebounds, along with four assists and three blocks against the Bobcats
Box Score
Charlotte, NC – The Johnson C. Smith University men's basketball team collected a 78-73 victory over Lees McRae College on Saturday, November 16th at Brayboy Gymnasium in the Wendy's/Claude Saunders Tipoff Classic finale. JCSU improves to 4-0 overall and the Bobcats fall to 3-2 in the standings.
The Golden Bulls managed to jump out to a quick 9-4 lead in the first two minutes of play. Two layups and a three pointer from the combination of senior forward
Antwan Wilkerson (Greensboro, NC) and junior guard
LaMarquis Letchaw (Dallas, TX) led the JCSU scoring burst.
Lees McRae went on a 9-0 run in the next three minutes to grab a 13-9 lead with 15:28 before halftime. The Bobcats maintained their advantage throughout the half. LMC shot 58.6% (17-29) from the field in the first half and led by as much as 12 before closing out the half up 43-34.
Letchaw had a team-high 10 points and three assists at the break for the Golden Bulls. Wilkerson flirted with a double-double with eight points and nine rebounds. Mike Chambers paced the Bobcats with nine points and two assists.
JCSU made attempts to trim down the deficit, but Lees McRae stayed on the offensive attack. Chambers scored seven consecutive points for the Bobcats, including two three pointers around the halfway mark of the second half. The Golden Bulls trailed 64-54 with 10:34 remaining in the contest.
Down the stretch the Golden Bulls drew close and knotted the score 69-69 with 3:31 left to play. Senior forward
Robert Williams (Atlanta, GA) hit two free throws and threw down a two handed dunk to help tie the game. JCSU moved ahead off a layup from Wilkerson and remained ahead off free throw shooting.
Letchaw made six free throws in the final two minutes to keep the Golden Bulls out in front until time expired. He finished with a game-high 20 points, five assists, and three assists. Letchaw shot a perfect 10-10 (100%) from the foul line. He earned All-Tipoff Classic honors, while teammate Wilkerson received All-Tipoff Classic MVP honors.
Wilkerson produced 13 points, 15 rebounds, four assists, and three blocks against the Bobcats. He finishes with 29 points, 18 boards, five blocks, and five assists over the two-day classic. Williams chipped in 11 points, four rebounds, and two steals in the victory.
Chambers led Lees McRae with 17 points and three assists. He also received All-Tipoff Classic honors, especially for his classic-high performance of scoring 35 points against Livingstone on day one.
"We played with a lack of understanding early on in the ball game and we were fortunate to be able to recover," said JCSU head coach
Stephen Joyner, Sr. "Lees McRae is a very good ball club and again I say we were fortunate and settled down defensively in the second half."
"Antwan (Wilkerson) continues to develop as a player, but he's showing senior leadership in his play on the floor." Joyner continued. "We've played four good teams and to come out on the other end with four wins all while growing as a team; I'll take it."
JCSU returns to action on Wednesday, November 20th against Virginia Union University in Richmond, VA. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. inside Barco-Stevens Gymnasium.
