JCSU Uses 12-0 Run in Second Half to Down St. Augustine’s, 81-68

Raleigh, N.C. (Feb. 10, 2016) –  The Johnson C. Smith University men’s basketball team blew open a close game by going on a 12-0 run in the latter stages of the second half and never looked back, taking a crucial 81-68 win over St. Augustine’s at Emery Gym on Wednesday night.

JCSU had four players score in double-figures and shot 46.7% from the field to take the win.  The Golden Bulls also shot an efficient 85.7% (18-21) from the free throw line.  Stedmon Lemon (Lithona, Ga.) led the way, scoring 21 points on a 9-of-14 shooting effort.  Lemon also knocked down three from distance in the win.  Alandre Davis (Florence, S.C.) was 6-of-10 on the night and a perfect 7-of-7 from the stripe while senior teammate Diondre Pratt (Morven, N.C.) had 15 points and eight rebounds.  Pratt also was perfect from the line, converting all six of his attempts.  Joshua Linson (San Antonio, Tex.) had a productive night, going 5-of-9 from the field with two long balls.

After being tied at halftime, the two teams stayed close until the 9:16 mark of the second half when JCSU embarked on a 12-0 run, keeping the Falcons scoreless for 4:18 as JCSU built a 71-58 lead before Keith Crawford ended the SAU scoring drought at the 4:58 mark.

St. Augustine’s closed the gap to seven points with 3:23 remaining after Nick Moyer converted a layup that trimmed the JCSU lead to 73-66.  The Golden Bulls then went on an 8-2 run to close the game, aided by a Lemon three pointer, along with a Christian Kirchman (Roanoke, Va.) bucket.  Kirchman and Davis each hit two free throws down the stretch to preserve the win.

The win, combined with a Winston-Salem State loss, puts JCSU in sole possession of first place in the Southern Division with three games remaining.  The Golden Bulls will hit the road for the final time on Saturday, travelling to rival Livingstone for a 4:00 p.m. tilt at Trent Gym.