Head coach Stephen Joyner, Sr. (center) has the Golden Bulls off a 10-2 start, including winning their last four with an 84-73 victory Bowie State
Box Score
Charlotte, NC – The Johnson C. Smith University men's basketball team topped Bowie State University on Saturday, January 4th for an 84-73 conference victory at Brayboy Gymnasium. JCSU improves to 10-2 overall and 2-0 in the CIAA, while the Bulldogs fall to 6-7 overall and 0-2 in the conference standings.
This matchup was a back and forth slugfest between two evenly talented teams. There were nine ties and eight lead changes in the first half. Joel Clemmons converted a layup for Bowie State with 38 seconds remaining for a 37-36 lead. The score remained the same at the half.
Senior forward
Robert Williams (Atlanta, GA) shot 5-for-7 (71%) from the field for 10 points in the opening. Junior guard
LaMarquis Letchaw (Dallas, TX) chipped in eight points. Senior forward
Antwan Wilkerson (Greensboro, NC) and junior forward
Emilio Parks (Ashtabula, OH) both had five points and four rebounds.
JCSU shot 48% (15-31) from the floor and the Bulldogs were equally impressive connecting on 50% (16-32) of their shots. David Golladay led BSU with 11 points, followed by Carlos Smith with 10 points and three rebounds.
The game reached a 14th and final tie (68-68) with 3:28 remaining in the contest. Ray Gatling tied the game with a layup and was fouled on the play. He made the free throw for a 69-68 advantage. Parks responded for the Golden Bulls with a three-point play of his own. After the foul shot, JCSU held a 71-69 lead with 3:13 on the clock.
The Golden Bulls rallied off 10 unanswered points over the next two minutes for a 78-69 advantage. JCSU squeezed time off the clock and maintained for an 84-73 win; capped by a dunk from Wilkerson in the closing seconds.
Williams had a game-high 21 points and four boards. Parks pitched in 20 points, eight rebounds, and four blocks. Letchaw had 17 points and four assists. Wilkerson concluded with 12 points, eight rebounds, three assists, and two steals.
JCSU improved their shooting percentage to 58% (14-24) from the field and 91% (20-22) from the free throw line in the second half.
Gatling had a team-high 15 points for Bowie State. Carlos Smith and Golladay had 13 points each for the Bulldogs.
The Golden Bulls return to the Brayboy Gymnasium court for their next matchup against Virginia Union University on Monday, January 6th. Game time is slated for 7:30 p.m. JCSU defeated the Panthers earlier this season (11/20/13) in a non-conference contest in Richmond, VA. This game will count towards the CIAA standings.
