Carson-Newman Deals JCSU Basketball an 83-79 Defeat

Charlotte, N.C. (Jan. 2, 2018) – Visiting Carson-Newman used a 14-7 spurt in the early stages of the second half to break open a close game and held off a late Golden Bull charge in an 83-79 nonconference win over Johnson C. Smith University at Brayboy Gym on Tuesday night.

After being tied 33-33 at halftime, the Eagles gained a 47-40 lead at the 14:45 mark after a Charles Clark basket.  Reese Anderson would then boost the CNC lead to 54-43 with 13:47 to play on a driving layup in traffic.

The Carson-Newman lead would grow to as much as 13 points (75-62) with 5:27 to play, but JCSU mounted a late rally.  Following a Christian Kirchman (Roanoke, Va.) three pointer that made it 75-65, JCSU trimmed the deficit to 77-72 after two Robert Davis (West Friendship, Md.) free throws with 3:10 to play. 

Carson-Newman would build their lead back to 81-73, but a Davis three pointer followed by a layup and free throw whittled the Eagle lead to just 81-79 with 27 seconds to play.

The Eagles then got two free throws from Charles Clark to go up 83-79.  JCSU would then come up empty on two late three-point attempts, and Carson-Newman held on for the four-point win.

Clark led the Eagles with a game-high 31 points while teammate Malik Abraham had 18. The Eagles shot 38.1% from the field and secured 50 rebounds on the night.  CNC also went 26-of-35 from the free throw line and hit nine from beyond the arc in the win.

The Golden Bulls were once again paced by Davis, as he scored 27 points on a 10-of-24 outing and hit four three-pointers.  He was also a perfect 4-of-4 from the free throw line. Roddric Ross (Forest City, N.C.) also had a good night for JCSU with 23 points and a team-best nine rebounds.  Kirchman also had 11 points while dishing a team-high eight assists in the loss.

The loss drops JCSU to 8-5 on the season while Carson-Newman improves to 12-2.

JCSU be back in action on Thursday, Jan. 4 with a road date at CIAA Northern Division foe Chowan. Tipoff from the Helms Center in Murfreesboro, N.C. is slated for 7:30 p.m.