Johnson C. Smith receives scare from Virginia State, escapes with win

Johnson C. Smith receives scare from Virginia State, escapes with win

March 2, 2006 

CHARLOTTE, NC - Johnson C. Smith University, the regular-season champions of the CIAA Western Division, received a scare from the upset-minded Trojans of Virginia State University, but the Golden Bulls escaped the CIAA Tournament quarterfinals with a 56-53 victory inside Charlotte Bobcats Arena on Thursday.

In a game that saw nine ties and eight lead changes, JCSU guard Maurice Hooper was 4-for-4 from the foul line in the closing seconds to put the Golden Bulls ahead by three points.

A last second three-point attempt by VSU's Rodney Henry, who previously nailed a triple to make it a one-point game with less than 30 seconds left, missed the potential game-tying basket at the buzzer.

JCSU (21-6) was topped by center Charles Clark with 22 points, while Hooper added 11 points and six assists. Prince Parker, who scored five straight points for the Golden Bulls down the stretch, finished with nine points.

VSU (9-19) was led by Aubrey Brown's 15 points, followed by Rodney Henry with 10 points.

JCSU advances to the tournament semifinals to play Bowie State University on Friday at 9 p.m.