JCSU Falls to No. 2 Queens, 83-77

Charlotte, N.C. (Dec. 19, 2017) – Johnson C. Smith University erased a 21-point deficit to tie the game late in the second half, but Queens University used a late spurt to down the Golden Bulls in a nonconference men's basketball game at the Levine Center on Tuesday night.

The second-ranked Royals started hot, hitting five three pointers over the first 6:24 of the game, bolting out to a quick 19-6 lead. Queens senior Todd Withers had two long-balls during the stretch.

Queens stretched their lead to as many as 21 points following a Josh Van Weezep three-pointer, their eighth of the first half to go up 42-21 at the 3:23 mark.

JCSU then regrouped and closed the first half on an 9-0 run over the last 2:28 of the half, all by senior guard Robert Davis (West Friendship, Md.) Davis went 6-of-6 from the line during the span and added a three-pointer to draw JCSU to within 44-32 at halftime.

JCSU continued to chip away at the Queens lead in the second half, drawing to within 50-40 at the 16:55 mark after a Jonathan Curtis (High Point, N.C.) free throw.

Queens went back up by 13 (59-46) with 13:50 to go, then the Golden Bulls would trim the lead to 64-60 after a Davis three pointer at the 9:42 mark and then to 66-64 when Roddric Ross (Forest City, N.C.) buried two free throws less than a minute later.

Queens surged ahead by five points (72-67) with 6:05 to play after two Ike Agusi free throws then JCSU went on an 8-3 run to knot the score at 75-75 with 3:45 to play.  During the spurt, Christian Kirchman (Roanoke, Va.) nailed a three-pointer and added two free throws. Ross' three-pointer was the tying shot.

Queens responded, getting a Shaun Willett dunk and a Mike Davis free throw to go up 78-75 with 2:17 remaining.

After the Royals jumped ahead 80-75, Kirchman again brought JCSU to within three (80-77) but JCSU could get no closer, falling 83-77.

Individually for JCSU, Robert Davis led four players in double-figures with 21.  Kirchman had 16 points, Ross added 15 and Arthur Bennett (Powder Springs, Ga.) finished with 10.

The loss drops the Golden Bulls to 8-4 on the year while Queens remains undefeated with a 12-0 mark.

JCSU will break for the holidays and will return to action on Jan. 2 with a home nonconference matchup against Carson-Newman.