Feb. 23, 2008

Final Stats

The Golden Bulls of Johnson C. Smith University defeated the visiting Lions of Lincoln University of Pennsylvania by a score of 88-74 on senior day in Brayboy Gymnasium. The win improves JCSU's record to 18-9 while Lincoln falls to 4-22.

The first half was a tightly contested one until late the first stanza. Despite the close score, the Golden Bulls, specifically Ryan Scott, was red hot from beyond the arc in the first 20 minutes of play hitting 4-of-9 long ball attempts. JCSU went into the locker room with a mere 10 point lead (41-31).Despite both teams going shot for shot in the second half, JCSU's talented depth outlasted the dwindled nine-man roster for the Lions.

Junior guard Ryan Scott (Reston, Va.) continued his double-digit scoring ways with 19 points, connecting on 5-of-10 shots from beyond the arc. He had significant help from rookie Ronald Thornhill (Reston, Va.) who scored 6 points but more importantly dished out 10 assists. Senior Edmund Rainey (Buffalo, N.Y.) had a double-double of 18 points and 13 rebounds, while senior Maurice Hooper (Reidsville, N.C.) and sophomore Brian Mobley (Charlotte, N.C.) had 15 and 11 points respectively.

Despite Dante Blanton-Holcombe's 33 points and Dominic Washington's 22, JCSU's balanced attack and roster depth outlasted the visiting Lions. Blanton-Holcombe has scored in double digits in every game played this season.

Next up will be the CIAA basketball tournament. The seedings will be officially released tomorrow morning, but it appears that JCSU will have a rematch with the Falcons of Saint Augustine's College. JCSU should be the #4 seed and the Falcons the #5 seed. Both teams will have a first-round bye and should meet on Thursday afternoon at a time to be determined.