Written by Antoine Lynch, Athletics Media Specialist

RALEIGH, N.C. – The Shaw University men's basketball team fell victim to a second-half drought as the Bears dropped a 71-65 decision to Johnson C. Smith University Wednesday evening inside historic C.C. Spaulding Gymnasium.

The Bears fall to 5-18 overall, 2-11 in the CIAA and 0-8 in the Southern Division while the Golden Bulls improve to 14-7 overall, 8-4 CIAA, 5-2 Southern Division. The loss snaps a three-game winning streak over JCSU.

Things would begin close with the score tied at 7-7 at the 14:48 mark after a dunk from junior forward Alex Owens (Brandenton, FL). A Shaw drought would ensue putting the Bears down 19-8 with 12:16 left before the break. Shaw battled back to tie the game at 25-25 before taking a 30-28 lead with a three pointer from senior guard Imani Miller (Knoxville, TN). Senior forward Darian Daniels (Sarasota, FL) gave Shaw a 33-30 lead at the break beating the buzzer with a corner three.

Shaw extended its lead to six points twice with the final time being with 16:11 left leading 38-32. JCSU battled back to tie the game on two occasions at 41-all before taking the lead for the rest of the contest. Although Shaw was able to trim its deficit to six (69-63) with 1:31 left, the Bears would be unable to cut below that margin.

Owens paced the Bears with 15 points and 13 rebounds recording his second double-double of the season. Senior guard Greyson Kelley (Raleigh, NC) followed with 14 points while freshman guard Nigel Martin (Cleveland, OH) added 11 points.

Shaw returns to action Monday, Feb. 10 as the Bears travel to Winston-Salem State University for an 8 p.m. tipoff inside the C.E. Gaines Center in Winston-Salem, N.C.

For the most up-to-date information on Shaw athletics and its 13 varsity sport teams, please visit www.shawbears.com.