Box Score Charlotte, NC – 12th ranked Johnson & Wales (8-14) took to court in the championship game of the JWU Invitational playing against the Dragons of Virginia University of Lynchburg. The Wildcats fought to the end, but came up short 70-62.
JWU took a 9-2 lead behind Hursel Forbes's 3 pointer three and a half minutes into the first half. The Dragons gradually closed the gap, before going on a 7-0 run to take a 15-11 lead. The Wildcats got within 2 points, but were not able to regain the lead, and went to the locker room trailing at the half, 36-27.
The Dragons opened up the second half with a 6-2 run, extending their lead to 13, 42-29. Three consecutive Chris Calvin baskets staked the Dragons to their largest lead, 52-37 at the 11:53 mark. The Wildcats began to rally, and over the next nine minutes trimmed the VUL lead to 2, 62-60 with 2:11 left. Unfortunately, that would be as close as JWU would get, as the Dragons closed the game with an 8-2 spurt that provided the 70-62 final margin.
JWU was led by Joshua Cohen with 14 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists. DeQuincey Bennett and Hursel Forbes both added 12 points apiece. Kindrick Anderson tallied 8 rebounds for the Wildcats.
Johnson& Wales is next in action on Tuesday, January 21st when they host Bob Jones University. Tip-off is set for 7:30pm.
