GOLDEN BULLS CHARGE TOWARDS SEMI-FINALS WITH WIN OVER ST. AUGUSTINE'S
February 28, 2008
Charlotte, NC - The two most evenly matched teams of the tournament, Johnson C. Smith University (No. 4 seed) and Saint Augustine's College (No. 5 seed), squared off Thursday evening inside the Charlotte Bobcats Arena. When everything was said and done, JCSU advanced to the semi-finals with a 72-61 win over the Falcons.
The Golden Bulls finished the regular season at 18-9, while Saint Augustine's ended their season at 16-9 overall. Both teams had an11-9 record in conference play. Despite having identical conference records and the Falcons sweeping the season series (2-0) against JCSU; the Golden Bulls received the higher seeding due to their overall record.
Johnson C. Smith had a slightly higher field goal percentage (48%) than the Falcons (41.4%) in the first half. Saint Augustine's countered that statistic by outscoring JCSU 11-to-4 in points off turnovers, even though they committed six more turnovers (14-to-8). Neither team pulled away from the other in the opening period; which resulted in the score being tied at 32 going into the second half.
Saint Augustine's went scoreless for a period of four and half minutes early in the second half. JCSU put 10 points on the board during that period and created the necessary distance to earn the victory. The Golden Bulls remained consistent offensively and never allowed their lead to dwindle before six in the final period.
All-CIAA senior guard Maurice Hooper had an all-around performance for the Golden Bulls with 13 points, five rebounds, and four assists. Hooper's play earned him Food Lion Game Three Most Valuable Player Honors. Sophomore forward Jerry Hollis and junior guard both scored 12 points for JCSU.
Saint Augustine's junior forward Robert Shuler had a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds in a losing effort.
Johnson C. Smith will face the top seed in the 63rd Annual Men's Basketball Tournament, Virginia Union University on Friday, February 29th to decide who plays in the championship game. The contest will take place inside the Charlotte Bobcats Arena at 9 pm.