Emilio Parks dominated the paint en route to producing 30 points and 11 rebounds in a 74-66 win over Lincoln at home
Box Score Charlotte, NC – The Johnson C. Smith University men's basketball team picked up a 74-66 victory over The Lincoln University to start CIAA play on Wednesday, December 18th at Brayboy Gymnasium. JCSU begins with a 1-0 conference mark and improve to 8-2 overall. The Lions drop to 7-2 overall and start with a 0-1 CIAA record.
The opening half was a tug-a-war match between two strong conference teams from opposing divisions. Sophomore forward
Christan Williams (Chesapeake, VA) tied the game for the fifth time with a jumper at the 3:01 mark. Kyle Aiken broke the tie with a layup for a 29-27 Lincoln lead. Freshman guard
Patrell Rogers (Wilson, NC) nailed a three-pointer on the next possession.
Rogers scored the final points of the first half. JCSU led 30-29 at halftime. Junior forward
Emilio Parks (Ashtabula, OH) was a workhorse for JCSU with 15 points and eight rebounds in the opening period. The Golden Bulls shot 42% (11-26) from the field, compared to 40% (12-30) shooting for the Lions.
With the five minute mark approaching in the second half, neither team had created any sustained advantage. Parks made two free throws with 5:16 on the clock to tie the game 58-58. From there, junior guard
LaMarquis Letchaw (Dallas, TX) and senior forward
Robert Williams (Atlanta, GA) scored nine unanswered points for the Golden Bulls over the next three minutes.
That scoring run essentially elevated JCSU to victory. Parks concluded the contest with a double-double of 11 rebounds and a career-high 30 points. Letchaw, reigning CIAA Newcomer of the Week, had 16 points and four assists. Williams produced 11 points, seven boards, and two assists.
George Jackson paced the Lions with 23 points. Lincoln lost the rebounding battle 42-34. JCSU improved their field goal percentage to 56% (14-25) in the second half, while Lincoln shot 32% (11-34) from the floor.
JCSU returns to action on Saturday, December, 21st by traveling to Belmont, NC to face Belmont Abbey College. Tipoff is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. at the Wheeler Center on the campus of Belmont Abbey.
