Robert Williams caught the 'hot hand' in the second half and scored 16 points to finish with a team-high 19 points in a 56-53 win at Queens (NC)
Box Score
Charlotte, NC – The Johnson C. Smith University men's basketball team defeated nearby Queens University of Charlotte in a non-conference contest on Monday, December 2nd at the Curry Arena inside the Levine Center. JCSU improves to 6-1 in the standings, while the Royals fall to 2-4 overall.
The Golden Bulls jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the first 90 seconds of play. Junior guard
LaMarquis Letchaw (Dallas, TX) made two field goals and a three pointer from senior forward
Antwan Wilkerson (Greensboro, NC) accounted for the early advantage. Queens battled back and eventually tied the score 10-10 off a layup from Brent Evans at the 12:29 mark.
Later in the half, Wilkerson hit his second three-pointer to increase the Royals' deficit. Two free throws from junior forward
Emilio Parks (Ashtabula, OH) and a layup on the next possession by freshman guard
Patrell Rogers (Wilson, NC) give JCSU a 22-17 lead with seven minutes on the clock.
Queens managed to knot up the score with a three from Trey Ervin and then a jumper from Jarrett Stokes. Evans scored in the paint to give the Royals a 24-22 advantage with 1:33 left before halftime. Rogers penetrated the lane and converted a layup for a 24-24 tie. Ervin recaptured the lead for Queens with a score inside and 24 ticks remaining.
Parks made the final field goal of the half off an assist from Rogers, while drawing a foul. He made the free throw and JCSU held a 27-26 halftime lead off the three-point play.
The Golden Bulls shot 33% (10-30) from the floor and Queens did not fare much better shooting 35% (11-31) from the field. The Royals held a 24-18 rebounding advantage. JCSU shot 83% (5-6) from the foul line in the opening.
Parks and Letchaw each had seven points at the break. Wilkerson chipped in six points, three rebounds, and two blocks. Brent Evans led Queens with 10 points and eight boards.
The game remained tightly contested in the second half. After five minutes of play, the contest was tied 33-33 off a field goal from Josh Clyburn. His shot was the beginning of a 9-1 scoring run for Queens leading to a 40-34 advantage. The Golden Bulls responded with a 7-2 run of their own to draw within one (42-41) with 7:31 left to play.
Senior forward
Robert Williams (Atlanta, GA) hit a big three-pointer with 3:56 on the clock to give JCSU a 49-46 lead. The Golden Bulls hit enough field goals and defended well enough to stay in front for the remainder of the game.
Williams scored 16 points in the second half to finish with a team-high 19 points, along with six rebounds and two steals. Parks recorded his first double-double of the season with 13 rebounds and 11 points. Wilkerson concluded the contest with 10 points, six boards, and two blocks.
Evans paced the Royals with 21 points and 12 rebounds. Stokes and Clyburn added 14 and eight points, respectively.
JCSU edged Queens 25-24 in rebounding for the second half and outscored them 11-3 off turnovers.
The Golden Bulls return to their home floor for the next contest against Wingate University on Monday, December 9th. Tipoff is slated for 7:30 p.m. at Brayboy Gymnasium.
