CHARLOTTE - Johnson C. Smith turned its hard-nosed defense into a crucial conference win. The Golden Bulls forced 18 turnovers and limited Elizabeth City State to 44.8% shooting from the field and 36.1% on 3-pointers and rolled to a 69-63 win on Monday afternoon at Brayboy Gym.
JCSU opened the game with a 23-6 lead and survived numerous ECSU second-half runs to finally secure its fourth home win in seven tries and four game win streak. The victory gives JCSU an overall record of (9-6, 4-3 CIAA).
The Gold and Blue had four players in double figures:
Ciara Harris with 15,
Aubriana Bonner with 14
Mahley Holit with 13 and
Shaniya Jones with 10.
ECSU (12-4, 4-3) got 13 points from Azhante Rodgers.
JCSU plays again at home on Wednesday against Winston-Salem State.