Shaw Defeated by Johnson C. Smith
Bears Still in Search of First Conference Win

December 11, 2007 – Charlotte, NC – The Shaw University Bears bussed to Brayboy Gymnasium to battle the Golden Bulls of Johnson C. Smith University.  The Bears dropped their third conference competition of the season after an 86 – 53 loss to JCSU.

The head referee tossed up the opening tip-off as JCSU took possession. The first successful shot of the game was a long range jumper released by the Bears’ #30 Damola Obadina (Forward / 6 – 5 / Senior / Minneapolis, MN) at 19:28. Shortly have a player called timeout, Obadina returned to scored his second basket of the game and propel Shaw to a 6 – 5 lead over the Golden Bulls with 15 minutes remaining. Near the 11 minutes mark, JCSU took a timeout after #34 John Kornegay (Guard / 5 – 10 / Senior / Detroit, MI) connected for two consecutive scores; the second of which was a three-pointer that gave Shaw their largest lead of the first half, 13 - 10. JCSU buried back-to-back three pointers, but the Bears’ #21 Brandon Greene (Forward / 6 – 6 / Senior / Slidell, LA) responded with a behind the arc basket to give Shaw a 20 – 19 lead. Unfortunately, the Golden Bulls herded together to strike up a 10 – 4 scoring run. Head Coach Robert Brickey looked to refocus his roster with a timeout at 4:28 as JCSU led 31 – 24. With one minute left in the first half, the Golden Bulls continued to grip the hand of momentum to take an eleven point lead, 37 – 26, entering the intermission.

In the first half, the score was tied on five alternating occasions and had 11 different lead changes. Shaw stormed out of halftime eager to improve on their 35% first half field goal percentage (10 of 28). However, the Bears found difficulty in the first five minutes of play in the second half where as JCSU jolted away on a 10 – 2 scoring spurt. The Golden Bulls briskly built a bigger bridge between themselves and Shaw. Within three minutes, JCSU led 58 – 32 with a little less than three minutes remaining.  The Bears slightly sliced their point deficit with Kornegay’s second three-pointer and a fast break lay-up by Obadina. Nevertheless, the Golden Bulls kept the Bears at a distance with productive post play and long range conversions.  

The Bears had three players to score in double digits. Leading all offensive production was #34 John Kornegay with 17 points (five rebounds / two steals). Providing additional scoring was #30 Damola Obadina with 11 points (seven rebounds / two assists / one steal) and #21 Brandon Greene with 10 points (three rebounds / one assist). Also, Obadina led with a team high seven rebounds.