LaMarquis Letchaw produced a season-high 25 points in the 90-89 overtime loss to Wingate in Brayboy
Box Score
Charlotte, NC – The Johnson C. Smith University men's basketball team losses 90-89 in overtime to Wingate University in a non-conference contest on Monday, December 9th at Brayboy Gymnasium. JCSU moves to 6-2 in the standings, while the Bulldogs improve to 7-1 overall.
JCSU fell behind early and trailed for the entire first half. At the 10:06 mark, a layup from Ryan Daye gave Wingate a 21-8 advantage. Junior guard
LaMarquis Letchaw (Dallas, TX) had four of seven points in a 7-3 run to cut the deficit to 24-15. The Bulldogs responded with a 15-4 scoring run to push their lead to as much as 39-19 with less than three minutes before the break.
Back to back three pointers from senior forward
Antwan Wilkerson (Greensboro, NC) and sophomore guard
Joshua Linson (San Antonio, TX) helped trim down the Wingate lead. The Golden Bulls were down 43-29 at halftime.
JCSU shot 26.7% (8-30) from the field and 83% (10-12) from the free throw line in the initial period. Wingate connected on 47% (16-34) of their shots from the floor and 70% (7-10) from the foul line. Junior forward
Emilio Parks (Ashtabula, OH) and Linson led the team with six points each at the break.
Daye had 19 points and three assists, followed by Deion Turman with 11 points and eight boards for Wingate.
The Golden Bulls surged in the second half with an 8-2 run to start the half. Parks scored the first six points and JCSU drew within a single-digit deficit (45-37) with 17:32 left to play. Wingate continued to fight off the Golden Bulls charge with scoring of their own. However, Wilkerson made two free throws with 6:22 on the clock with bring JCSU within one field goal (65-63).
Wilkerson sank a three pointer on the next offensive series to give the Golden Bulls a 66-65 lead; their first of the game. Letchaw pitched in five consecutive points with a three pointer and two free throws. Senior guard Richard Daniel, Jr. (Winston-Salem, NC) made a runner in the lane for a 73-66 lead with 2:47 remaining.
Wingate refused to go away and sparked an 8-1 over the next two minutes to tie the game (74-74). Parks scored in the post off an assist from senior forward
Robert Williams (Atlanta, GA) with 15 seconds left in regulation. Turman was fouled under the basket and made both foul shots in the closing seconds. Regulation ended with the score tied for the fourth time at 76 all.
JCSU led as much as five with less than 75 seconds remaining. Letchaw hit a three-point field goal for an 88-83 advantage with 1:13 left. Turman made a layup for Wingate on the next possession. Letchaw was fouled and connected on one of two free throws. Turman was sent to the foul line where he made both attempts for an 89-87 score in favor of JCSU with 15 seconds left in overtime.
The Bulldogs fouled Williams on the next possession. Unfortunately, Williams missed both free throws and the score remained 89-87 with 10 seconds remaining. Daye came down and threw up a long range shot from beyond the arc. The shot went in for a 90-89 lead for Wingate, their first and only lead of overtime.
JCSU failed to get off a shot in the closing seconds and Wingate pulled out the win in the extra period. The Golden Bulls shot 80% (4-5) from the field, but only 44% (4-9) from the foul line in OT. Wingate out-rebounded JCSU 52-39 for the contest.
Letchaw had a team and season-high 25 points, along with three assists. Both Wilkerson and Parks produced double-doubles. Wilkerson had 13 points and 11 boards, while Parks chipped in 18 points and 10 rebounds. Williams finished with 16 points and five assists.
Daye had a game-high 33 points and four assists for the Bulldogs. Turman produced an impressive double-double of 29 points and 16 boards.
The Golden Bulls will remain at home for their next contest against King College (TN) on Saturday, December 14th. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Brayboy Gymnasium.
