Box Score

RALEIGH, NC -- Shayne Siago and Caleb Simmons both finished with 21 points as the Shaw men's basketball team defeated the Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls 80-67 at home Wednesday for their first CIAA win of the season. 

Siago and Simmons' stellar scoring performances led the Bears (8-7, 1-2) in the contest. Siago tacked on six rebounds and Simmons added 12 rebounds and two steals. DJ Thomas also helped out with 18 points.

Led by Simmons' six offensive rebounds, Shaw did a great job crashing the offensive glass, pulling down 15 boards that resulted in 13 second chance points.

How It Happened

After falling behind 32-29, Shaw went on an 8-0 run with 1:47 left in the first half to take a 37-32 lead, a score that would hold until halftime. Shaw did most of its first half damage in the paint, scoring 22 of its 37 points close to the basket.

Following intermission, Shaw kept widening that lead, expanding it to 51-40 before going on a 10-0 run to grow the lead to 61-40 with 12:21 to go in the contest. The Golden Bulls narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Bears still cruised the rest of the way for the 80-67 win. Shaw took care of business in the paint, recording 22 of its 43 points in the lane.

Quotes
"This was a much needed win for us. It was a confidence builder, especially after what happened the other night, losing a big lead in a win. It showed the character of our team. I told our team, when we are focused and locked in, we are very difficult to beat. When Winston-Salem State comes here on Saturday, we will be ready and definitely prepared." - Head Coach Bobby Collins on the Shaw men gaining their first CIAA win of the season.

"When we came in at halftime, our goal specifically was to rebound. If you control the glass, you control the game. [JCSU] played a zone the whole game. They forced us to take a lot of shots but Coach and the rest of the staff told us to finish inside. That is a higher percentage shot. Scoring inside gives us a lot of opportunities to shoot the threes." - Shaw sophomore forward Caleb Simmons about the Bears' dominance in the paint.
 

Game Notes

» Caleb Simmons notched an impressive double-double for the Bears with 21 points and 12 rebounds.
» Shaw never trailed in the second half on its way to victory.
» Shayne Siago, Caleb Simmons, and DJ Thomas combined to account for 75 percent of the Bears points.
» The Shaw bench came alive by scoring 30 points to its scoring output.
» Shaw had a 41-33 edge on the boards in the win.
» Shaw cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 15 offensive boards in the game.

Up Next
The Bears return to C.C. Spaulding Gymnasium Saturday, January 7 as they host Winston-Salem State. Tipoff is slated for 4 PM.