JCSU Men's Basketball Earns 81-68 Win Over West Georgia

Charlotte, N.C. (Nov. 25, 2017) – The Johnson C. Smith University men's basketball team blew open a tight game in the first half and cruised to an 81-68 win over visiting West Georgia on Saturday afternoon at Brayboy Gym.

IN the first half, neither team could distance itself from the other in the early going, as they traded the lead four times, with the Golden Bulls going on a 13-1 run over the latter stages of the first half, gaining the 37-25 lead with 58 seconds to go following a Roddric Ross (Forest City, N.C.) basket. During that span, senior guard Christian Kirchman (Roanoke, Va.) nailed back-to-back three pointers and senior post player Arthur Bennett (Powder Springs, Ga.) worked the inside to help JCSU gain the 39-27 lead at the half.

JCSU returned shot 44.1% in the first half on a 15-of-34 effort.  JCSU also was 4-of-7 from long range with Kirchman going 3-of-3.

In the second half, JCSU extended their lead to as many as 21 points (59-38) with 13:33 remaining.  West Georgia would battle back, closing the JCSU lead to just six points with 6:05 left after a Steven Ross tip-in.

JCSU then jumped ahead by 13 when Davis canned a three pointer with 4:29 to go.  West Georgia would never get the Golden Bull lead to less than 11 points the rest of the way, with JCSU earning the 81-68 win.

Collectively, the Golden Bulls shot 47.7% (31-of-65) from the field and 6-of-14 from long range.   JCSU also forced 16 turnovers, converting those turnovers into 13 points.

Kirchman led JCSU with 21 points while Davis finished with 20 points and eight assists.  Arthur Bennet had a great outing, finishing with 15 points and a team-best six rebounds while Roddric Ross had 10 points and five boards.  Aaron Adair (Winston-Salem, N.C.) also had a productive night, scoring six points while corralling six rebounds.

The win improves JCSU to 6-2 on the season while West Georgia falls to 3-2.

 The Golden Bulls will next take on Anderson on Tuesday night, Nov. 28 at Brayboy Gym.  Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.