Golden Bulls Men's Basketball Falls To Division Rival Livingstone

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina  --  The Johnson C. Smith University men's basketball team splits the season series with Livingstone College after an 87-82 divisional loss on Saturday, February 15^th at Trent Gymnasium. JCSU moves to 13-10 overall, 5-7 in the CIAA, and 2-5 in the Southern; while the Blue Bears improve to 16-6 overall, 9-4 in the conference, and 6-1 in the division.

The Golden Bulls faced a deficit for the majority of the first half. Livingstone never led by more than eight points in the opening. Down eight with 3:40 on the clock, sophomore guard Joshua Linson (San Antonio, TX) made a three pointer to pull within five. Junior guard LaMarquis Letchaw (Dallas, TX) followed up with another three on the next possession.

Letchaw connected on two free throws at the 2:13 mark, but JCSU still trailed 41-39. Mark Thomas misfired on a three pointer on the next Livingstone possession. Sophomore center Alandre Davis (Wilson, NC) tied the game with a layup and 1:34 remaining in the half.

Anthony Welch scored the last points of the period with a shot at the buzzer. The basket put the Blue Bears ahead 43-41 at halftime. The combination of Thomas and Welch paced Livingstone throughout the initial half. Thomas had 11 points and five assists, while Welch produced 16 points and six rebounds.

Junior forward Emilio Parks (Ashtabula, OH) had a team-high 10 points at the break. Linson went 3-of-5 from the three point line for nine points, but also had four turnovers. Davis made 4-of-5 from the field for eight points and two assists.

JCSU continued to face an uphill battle in the second half. Two free throws with 7:08 on the clock by Jody Hill put the Blue Bears up 75-65. However, the duo of Letchaw and Parks evenly generated an 8-0 run over the next two and half minutes. Thomas broke the scoreless drought for LC, sophomore forward Markell Lotharp (Marshville, NC) answered on the other end with a layup.

Senior forward Antwan Wilkerson (Greensboro, NC) eventually tied the score 80-80 with 1:28 remaining. Unfortunately, the Blue Bears managed to outscore JCSU 7-2 during the final minute and a half. JCSU finished with 17 turnovers compared to eight for Livingstone.

Parks finished with 26 points, five rebounds, and two assists. Linson and Letchaw each had 14 points. Davis concluded with 12 points and two assists. Wilkerson produced a career-high 18 rebounds, along with seven points and two blocks.

Welch had a game-high 28 points along with 10 rebounds and two steals. Thomas ended the evening with 21 points, nine assists, and three steals.

The Golden Bulls look to snap their four-game winless streak in their next contest against Saint Augustine's University. Game time is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Monday, February 17^th at Emery Gymnasium in Raleigh, NC.

Box Score

COURTESY JOHNSON C. SMITH UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS