Robert Williams had a game and career-high 30 points off 11-of-16 shooting, including a six three-pointers in the 91-85 OT loss to Valdosta State.
GOLDEN BULLS’ MEN’S BASKETBALL DROPS NAILBITER 91-85 IN OVERTIME TO VALDOSTA STATE
First loss of the season
Box Score
Valdosta, GA – The Johnson C. Smith University men's basketball team came up short in a 91-85 overtime loss to Valdosta State on Saturday, November 23rd at The Complex on the campus of VSU. JCSU moves to 5-1 in the standings, while the Blazers improve to 4-0.
The Golden Bulls followed the hot hand of senior forward
Robert Williams (Atlanta, GA) for scoring in the first half. Williams shot 70% (7-10) from the field in the opening, including 4-for-7 shooting from the three point line. Valdosta State held a small lead from the start until the 13-minute mark of the first half.
Williams drilled a three-pointer off a pass from junior guard
LaMarquis Letchaw (Dallas, TX) to give the Golden Bulls an 18-16 advantage with 13:04 on the clock. The Blazers trailed for the remainder of the first half. JCSU led by as much as 11 (30-19) after three-point field goal from Letchaw with eight minutes before halftime.
Valdosta State faced a 42-34 deficit at halftime. Four Golden Bulls accounted for all 42 first half points. Williams led the way with 18 points, followed by Letchaw with 14 points shooting 83% (5-6) from the floor. Junior forward
Emilio Parks (Ashtabula, OH) had eight points and senior forward
Antwan Wilkerson (Greensboro, NC) chipped in a dunk for two points along with seven rebounds (six defensive).
David Murray and Jalen Crawford paced the Blazers with 10 and nine points, respectively in the opening half.
JCSU stayed on the attack in the second half and maintained a lead until halfway through the second period. Sophomore forward
Christan Williams (Chesapeake, VA) drilled a three-pointer with 16:20 on the clock for a 56-46 advantage. From that point, the Blazers sparked an 11-3 run to draw within one possession (59-57) with 12:33 remaining in regulation.
A three-pointer from Blake Justice at the 9:42 mark gave Valdosta State their first lead (66-64) of the contest since 13:04 in the first half. VSU hit two more three pointers afterward for a 72-64 lead. Letchaw got into a rhythm to rattle off eight consecutive points for the Golden Bulls. First, Letchaw dished to Wilkerson inside for a layup and then he made back to back three pointers.
With 2:12 on the clock, senior guard
Richard Daniels, Jr. (Winston-Salem, NC) sank a 17-foot jumper to give JCSU an 81-78 lead. Murray hit a jumper for the Blazers on their next possession. The Golden Bulls committed a turnover and Crawford was fouled.
Crawford made the first free throw to tie the game 81-81 with 27 seconds left in regulation. He missed the second and junior forward
Markell Lotharp (Marshville, NC) grabbed the defensive rebound. On the final possession of regulation, Letchaw got off a shot at the buzzer that just barely rimmed out. The contest went into an extra session.
The Golden Bulls were outscored 10-4 in the five minute overtime period. Two free throws from Daniels and a jumper from Lotharp were the only scores. Meanwhile, Valdosta State made a three-pointer and seven free throws to remain unbeaten.
JCSU shot 48% (30-62) for the game, compared to 42% (32-76) for the Blazers. Both teams were 1-of-4 (25%) from the field in overtime. Valdosta State won the rebounding battle 49-36, including a 21-7 advantage in offensive boards.
Williams produced a game and career-high 30 points off 11-of-16 shooting, including a 6-of-9 (66%) day from the three point line. He also pitched in six rebounds, five steals, and two assists; but Williams only had one shot attempt in overtime.
Letchaw had a season-high 24 points with eight rebounds, five assists, and a 4-of-5 (80%) shooting performance from beyond the arc. Parks had 11 points, seven boards, and four blocks. Wilkerson contributed with 10 rebounds and seven points. Both Parks and Wilkerson fouled out.
Four Blazers finished with double figures led by Crawford with 27 points. Murray had a strong effort for VSU with 21 points and 14 rebounds.
JCSU returns to action after the Thanksgiving break on Monday, December 2nd against Queens University of Charlotte. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at the new Levine Center on the campus of Queens.
