BALTIMORE, MD — Johnson C. Smith (11–15) advanced to Thursday's quarterfinals to face Virginia Union after securing a narrow 61–60 win over Elizabeth City State (4–20) on Wednesday at CFG Bank Arena, led by Food Lion Player of the Game
Anthony Williams.
Elizabeth City State came out strong behind the duo of Jaquantae Harris and Donovan Flamer. Harris delivered a game-high 23 points and a perfect 9-for-9 from the free-throw line, while Flamer added 22 points on 10-of-12 shooting, helping the Vikings carry a 31–30 lead into halftime and remain in contention throughout the second half.
Williams powered the Golden Bulls with 14 points and four made threes, giving Johnson C. Smith key offensive boosts throughout the night.
Jamauri Bryant matched him with 14 points,
Trey Pettigrew added 13, and
Jared Davis contributed 12 on a flawless shooting performance.
In a game marked by eight ties and nine lead changes, the final minute delivered the biggest swings. Harris hit a contested three with just over a minute remaining to lift ECSU ahead 60–59, but Davis answered with an assertive layup on the other end to reclaim the lead for the Golden Bulls. Johnson C. Smith's defense locked down from there, forcing two empty Viking possessions to secure the win.
Both teams battled evenly throughout, and the statistical comparison reflected how razor-thin the margins were. Johnson C. Smith finished with a narrow edge in rebounding, 24–23, and turned those boards into 13 second-chance points compared to Elizabeth City State's 9. The Golden Bulls also produced 30 points in the paint, slightly outpacing ECSU's 28, while both teams exchanged momentum-swinging baskets and physical interior play.
Elizabeth City State stayed in the fight thanks to aggressive scoring from its top duo. Jaquantae Harris poured in a game-high 23 points and went a perfect 9-for-9 from the free-throw line, and Donovan Flamer remained dominant inside with 22 points on 10-of-12 shooting. The Vikings also generated 17 points off turnovers, converting Johnson C. Smith's miscues into valuable scoring opportunities that kept the contest tight.
Though Johnson C. Smith committed 16 turnovers, they held Elizabeth City State to just six bench points and limited the Vikings to nine second-chance points—two factors that proved critical late.
Johnson C. Smith will meet Virginia Union on Thursday, February 26 at 8 p.m.
