Ryan Scott’s 29 Points Lead Golden Bulls in 65-63 Win Over Mars Hill
James Dillard’s Big Block Saves Game for JCSU
Kristene Kelly 
November 30, 2007

SALISBURY, N.C. – - Johnson C. Smith University guard Ryan Scott (Reston, Va.) scored a career-high 29 points in the Golden Bulls’ 65-63 win over Mars Hill College in game one of the Walt Baker Classic held on the campus of Catawba College.

Scott, the Bulls' second-leading scorer last season, was 10-for-15 from the field and 5 of 8 from 3-point range just three days after going 2-for-10 in a 69-61 loss to Elizabeth City State. He scored 19 points in the first half. Maurice Hooper (Reidsville, N.C.) was the only other player in double-figures for JCSU as he tallied 12 points and six assists.

The Lions lost by only two points despite shooting 36.9% (24-65) from the floor in the game as opposed to JCSU who connected on 50% (23-46) of their field goal attempts. MHC owned the boards in the game out rebounding JCSU 42-26 which led to 30 second chance points.

Even though the contest was closely played by both teams, JCSU led 33-28 at halftime and never relinquished the lead.

JCSU led by as many as 10 points (45-35) with 14:24 left in the contest after David Sanders (Buffalo, N.Y.) hit a layup. MHC then went on a 10-2 run to cut the deficit to just two points (47-45) with 11:27 left in regulation after Skinner nailed a jumper.

JCSU answered going on a 9-2 run to extend their advantage to 56-47 with 8:12 left on the clock. Coakley brought the Lions within one point (58-57) with 4:27 left in the contest after he hit a 3-pointer. Once again, JCSU answered the run by scoring five unanswered points to lead by six (63-57) with 2:40 left in the second stanza. Coakley nailed a 3-pointer to trim JCSU's lead to three points (63-60) at the 2:03 mark and then after a JCSU miss, Skinner hit a lay-up with 49 ticks left to pull MHC within one- point (63-62) of JCSU. Hooper wasted little time giving his squad a three-point cushion as he drove the lane and hit a short jumper to put JCSU up 65-62 with 40 seconds left to play.

After a MHC timeout, Skinner missed the mark on a shot in the lane but Moton pulled down the offensive board. After another Lion timeout, Coakley launched a shot from behind the arc with six seconds left but he was blocked by James Dillard (Apex, N.C.). He fetched his own rebound and attempted the long ball again. This time his shot rattled off the iron. Skinner pulled in the miss with 1.1 seconds left in the game and was fouled on the play. After making the first shot at the charity stripe, Skinner missed the second toss on purpose but the Lions were unable to obtain the ball for a last second shot at the buzzer.

Jordan Skinner led the Lions with 21 points and 11 rebounds, his third double-double in five games. Akeene Coakley followed with 11 points and five boards while Jabreel Moton added 10 points and six rebounds.

JCSU moves on to play host Catawba tomorrow, December 1, 2007. Game time is scheduled for 4 p.m. in Goodman Gymnasium.

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