Box Score BOCA RATON, Fla. – The Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls downed the Saint Leo Lions, 64-49, in Tuesday's non-conference tilt at the Lynn University Holiday Classic. The Lions suffered a series of scoring droughts, allowing the Golden Bulls to pull away.
Johnson C. Smith (3-6) had three Golden Bulls record double-digit scoring.
Malia Rivers led with 17 points supported by
Maiya Green with 13 points and
Le'Zarea Bowens with 11 points.
How It Happened
After five minutes of silence on the scoreboard, Gina Brierley earned the first points of the contest with a good left hook. Saint Leo edged ahead of Johnson C. Smith, 11-6, off Abby Zeitsiff's three-ball followed by a pair of free throws by Casey Wortley. The Golden Bulls responded with a four-point run to keep within a bucket of the Lions after a quarter, 12-10.
Johnson C. Smith's
Maiya Green sunk a three-pointer to claim the lead change, 15-14, with 7:04 left in the second quarter. The Lions suffered the first scoring drought, which lasted for 6:08 minutes while Johnson C. Smith put together a 12-0 run. Zeitsiff broke the ice with a jumper, 27-17. Olivia Lough later helped cut the Golden Bull's lead to six, for a halftime score of 27-21.
Lough put up three to open the third quarter, cutting the Lions' deficit to three points, 27-24. Despite the quick start for Saint Leo, Johnson C. Smith forced four-straight Saint Leo turnovers, keeping the Lions from scoring for 3:46 minutes while registering a nine-point run. The third quarter run handed the Golden Bulls a 12-point advantage, 36-24, at the media timeout. Saint Leo would only be able to add five more points to Lough's opening three-pointer to enter the fourth quarter down, 42-29.
Saint Leo was able find an offensive rhythm in the latter half of the fourth quarter. The Lions made four-of-four field goals for an 8-0 run over Johnson C. Smith. Unfortunately, the surge was too little too late as the Lions fell 64-49.
Next Up:
JCSU will face host Lynn University Wednesday afternoon with a 2:00pm tip off.
