Joshua Linson had a team-high 11 points and connected on 3-of-7 from the three point line (all 2nd half) in a 81-67 road loss to Shaw
Box Score Raleigh, NC – The Johnson C. Smith University men's basketball team dropped a divisional contest 81-67 to Shaw University on Saturday, February 1st at C.C. Spaulding Gymnasium. JCSU moves to 13-8 overall, 5-6 in the CIAA, and 2-3 in the Southern Division; meanwhile the Bears improves to 7-13 overall, 5-5 in conference, and 1-3 in the division.
The first half featured two lead changes and nine ties, including the conclusion. Senior forward
Robert Williams (Atlanta, GA) made two free throws with 15 seconds left for a 34-32 advantage. Koron Reed dunked for the final field goal of the opening. Reed's score knotted the game 34-34 at halftime.
Head coach
Stephen Joyner, Sr. changed up his lineup. Joyner started freshman
Patrell Rogers (Wilson, NC), sophomore guard
Raston Brown (Hephzibah, GA), and senior forward
Kameko Walls (Winston-Salem, NC), along with usual starters of senior guard
Richard Daniels, Jr. (Winston-Salem, NC) and junior forward
Emilio Parks (Ashtabula, OH).
The change up paid dividends early in the game. Brown, Walls, and Parks all had six points at the break. Rogers shot 50% (2-4) from the floor for five points in the first half. JCSU shot 40% (13-22) from the field and forced the Bears into committing 12 turnovers. The Golden Bulls were also a perfect 7-for-7 from the foul line, compared to 50% (4-8) shooting for Shaw.
Larry Richardson led the attack for Shaw with 10 points. The Bears hit 56% (14-25) of their shots in the opening.
Sophomore guard
Joshua Linson (San Antonio, TX) got hot from long range in the second half. Linson hit one of his three three-pointers at the 12:12 mark to tie the game 47-47. JCSU fell behind over the next few minutes. Linson connected again from deep to bring the Golden Bulls within a possession (56-54) with 7:49 on the clock.
Shaw outscored JCSU 14-2 over the next five minutes of competition. The Golden Bulls trailed 70-56 with 2:55 left in the game. The Bears closed out the contest making key field goals and free throws down the stretch.
Linson finished with a team-high 11 points, shooting 4-of-8 (50%) from the floor. Parks, reigning CIAA Player of the Week, was held to 10 points, along with three rebounds and three assists. Brown and Walls had eight points each.
Derrick Hunter had a game-high 21 points, along with six rebounds and four blocks. Richardson ended his evening with 20 points and three boards.
JCSU returns to their home court for a divisional rematch against Fayetteville State University on Saturday, February 8th. Game time is slated for 7:30 p.m. at Brayboy Gymnasium.
