Charlotte, NC - Host Johnson C. Smith outlasted Johnson & Wales Charlotte 80-72 on Saturday afternoon in a battle of local rivals.

The first half was close throughout as neither team led by more than five at any point over the first twenty minutes. The teams each shot 50% or better from the field. JWU was paced by 9 points from Kendall Wooldridge and 6 from Jaben Mars, as they went into the break trailing by 2 at 32-30.

Smith scored 8 of the first 10 points of the second half to build an eight point advantage at 40-32. JWU thrice closed the deficit to just one possession over the next 7 minutes, only to see the Golden Bulls extend the lead again. Smith led by eleven with four minutes to play, which the Wildcats twice trimmed to as few as six, but could get no closer. 

Wooldridge led the Wildcats with 23 points. Jaden Scriven came off the bench to score 12, while Mars and Cameron Lawson had 10 each.

The Wildcats are next in action on Friday when they travel to Brevard for a 5:30pm tipoff.