Box Score RALEIGH, N.C. – The Shaw University men's basketball team's second half push came up short in the 71-67 setback at cross-town rival Saint Augustine's University on Monday night in Emery Gymnasium. Shaw outscored the Falcons 33-29 in the second half but it would not be enough to overcome the first half deficit as the Bears shot just 36-percent from the field compared to SAU's 56-percent.
Joell Hopkins, Jr. (Raleigh, NC) finished with 18 points and nine rebounds to lead the Bears, while Quentin Judd (Baltimore, MD) registered a career-high 14 points and three rebounds. Larry Richardson, II (Garner, NC) contributed 12 points in the setback.
The Bears opened up the contest with an 8-11 lead after a 3-pointer from David Madol (Manchester, NH). Shaw led by as many as four points in the first half before SAU took the lead with 10:06 left in the half.
The Falcons charted a 23-10 run over course of eight minutes to build their largest lead of the half at 11 points. Shaw would cut at the deficit in the final minutes of the first half after a 6-1 run but SAU's D.J. Chamblee nailed a 3-pointer to give the Falcons the 42-34 advantage going into the locker room.
SAU started the second half hot as they framed a 12-7 run over the Bears to stretch their lead 54-41 at the 15:32 mark. The Bears struggled offensively, going scoreless for 2:16 until a jumper by Hopkins, Jr. carved the Falcons lead with 11:21 remaining.
The Bears found some life late in the contest when Judd scored four-straight points to get Shaw within two-points (59-57) at the 7:20 mark, followed by a made free-throw from Hopkins, Jr. to scratch the Falcons' lead but that would be closest Shaw would get for the remainder of the contest.
SAU outscored the Bears 10-7 over the next four minutes before two made free-throws by Quincy January with 26 seconds left sealed the deal for Shaw's chance to comeback.
Anthony Gaskins led all scorers with 26 points, and five rebounds, including 5-of-6 from the 3-point line. January added 19 points and 11 rebounds for SAU.
Bears will return to action on Wednesday, February 3rd when they play host to Virginia State University. Tip-off is slated for 8 p.m. in Spaulding Gymnasium.
For the most up-to-date information on Shaw University men's basketball and its 11 varsity sport teams, please visit shawbears.com.
