bears
pinched by panthers
Shaw Seven Points Shy of Taking
Down Top Team in East
January 29, 2008 – Richmond, VA – The Shaw University Bears played the Panthers of Virginia Union University. Despite three lead changes and having five players to finish in double figures, the Bears dropped a 70 – 63 loss to VUU.
In the first half of play, the Bears made 12 of 27 (44.4%) from the field. After the tip-off, Shaw’s #34 John “Kash” Kornegay (Guard / 5 – 10 / Senior / Detroit, MI) buried back-to-back baskets behind the arc to give the Bears an 8 – 4 lead. VUU’s #2 Brad Byerson made his third consecutive basket, but Shaw responded with a score from #00 Cori Gaither (Forward / 6 -5 / Senior / Jacksonville, FL) and a long-distance dialed in three-pointer by #21 Brandon “Game Time” Greene (Forward / 6 – 6 / Slidell, LA). It was not until the 11:06 mark that the Panthers prowled ahead for their first lead, 18 – 16, after an 8 – 0 scoring run was capped with a three-pointer by #25 Brandon Smith. Shortly thereafter, #30 Damola “Mr. Post Man” Obadina (Forward / 6 – 5 / Senior / Minneapolis, MN) took possession of an offensive rebound and then produced the post put-back to create the contest’s second tie, 18 – 18. The Bears took their second step back out in front of their opponents 23- 18 with a three-pointer by #20 Robert “And One” Espinosa (Forward / 6 – 7 / Senior / Plainfield, NJ) and a reappearance by Obadina for a jumper. The Panthers tied the game for the third time, 25 – 25, with three made free throws by #4 Brandon Byerson and a lay-up by his youngest brother #24 Braxton Byerson. In the next two minutes, VUU conducted an 8 – 2 run to retake the lead 33 – 27 with 1:56 remaining in the half. Shaw sliced off 75% of their six point deficit before halftime after a jumper by #3 Jonathan Mudd (Guard / 6 – 1 / Sophomore / Miami, FL) and the Bears’ fifth made three-pointer by #11 John “Down Town” Douros (Gurad / 6 – 2 / Junior / Raleigh, NC). VUU led 34 – 32 at the break.
The beginning of the second half did not exactly start off on the right paw for the Bears. The Panthers paraded off on an 8 – 0 scoring spurt. Shaw’s Obadina converted a spectacular three point play, but VUU took possession of a double digit lead, 46 – 36, with five made of ten attempted free throws. The Bears were brought within four, 47 – 41, after the one-man wrecking crew #10 Tyrone Bolden (Guard / 5 – 11 / Junior / Cleveland, OH) was credited with a three point play and then two made free throws. However, the Panthers had their own wrecking ball as #44 LaKeith Blanks tossed in and threw down two points here and a dunk there to give VUU a 53 – 41 lead with 11:27 on the game clock. The Bears did not bow there head and submit the contest to their opponents on a silver platter. Inside the five minutes mark, hushed the hooraying home crowd with an 8 – 0 scoring run to be within one, 64 – 63, of the Panthers with 1:29 remaining in the game. Unfortunately, VUU converted on six straight free throws in the closing seconds to cancel Shaw’s comeback chance.
The Bears had five players to finish in double figures. There was a two-way tie for top scorer as #3 Jonathan Mudd (Guard / 6 – 1 / 170 / Sophomore / Miami, FL) and #30 Damola Obadina (Forward / 6 – 5 / 240 / Senior / Minneapolis, MN) each scored 11 points. Providing additional scoring was #20 Robert Espinosa (Forward / 6 – 7 / 195 / Senior / Plainfield, NJ), #34 John Kornegay (Guard / 5 – 11/ 175 / Junior / Detroit, MI), and #10 Tyrone Bolden (Guard / 5 – 11 / 195 / Cleveland, OH) each scored 10 points. Furthermore, Mudd was King of the boards as she grabbed a team high six rebounds.
The Shaw University Bears will host a CIAA match-up against Elizabeth City State University on Saturday, February 2nd at 7:30 p.m.
