Bears punch ticket for trip to quarterfinals
Shaw Configure Four
Players In Double Figures
February 27, 2008 – Charlotte, NC – The 10th seeded Shaw University Bears hushed all nay-sayers and “doubting Toms” when they downed the 7th seeded Livingstone College Blue Bears 74 – 60 in Round One of the 63rd Annual CIAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. The tall triumph served as Shaw’s first tournament advancement since the 2002 – 2003 season and as Head Coach Robert Brickey’s first tournament win.
The Bears fired into the first half to connect on seven of 17 shot attempts for a 41.2% field goal percentage; in which included Shaw sinking four of six three-point attempts for a scorching 66.7% three-point field goal percentage. In addition, the Bears parented their point margin over Livingstone dialing in eight of 10 free throw attempts (80%). Shaw exemplified shutdown defense early to force the Blue Bears to shoot 27.6% (eight of 29) from the field and 10% (one of 10) from behind the arc. The Bears led 26 – 22 at the break.
In the second half, the Bears picked up where they left off with a 9 – 0 opening scoring run. Shaw turned up the heat to make 13 of 18 (72.2%) from the field and 20 of 28 (71.4%) from the free throw line to deposit 48 second half points. The Bears continued to bother the Blue Bears with their tall defensive barriers and secured the success converting on 12 of 14 free throws in the final three minutes; of which senior guard #11 John Douros nailed a perfect seven of seven from the charity stripe.
Shaw in scoring was senior guard #11 John Douros with a game-high 18 points. Providing Additional scoring were senior forward #30 Damola Obadina concluded 16 points and junior guard #1 Will Graham with 12 points as senior guard #34 John Kornegay finished with 11 points. Senior forward #20 Robert Espinosa led with a game-high eight rebounds.
The Shaw University Bears will take on the 2nd seeded Bowie State University tonight, February 28th at 9:00 p.m. in the Charlotte Bobcats Arena.
