Bluefield, VA- In a thrilling matchup at The Dome Gymnasium, Johnson University narrowly defeated Bluefield College with a final score of 86-84. Johnson's victory came despite a furious second-half comeback from Bluefield, who trailed by 14 points at halftime.
Johnson, boasting an 11-7 overall record and an 8-4 conference record, demonstrated their offensive versatility and depth. Toris Woods led the charge with 23 points, including two three-pointers, while Kavon Blankenship added 17 points, showing his prowess from beyond the arc with three successful shots from downtown. The team's balanced attack was evident as eight different players contributed to the scoring, combining for a field goal percentage of 46.9% and an impressive free throw percentage of 83.3%.
Bluefield, with a record of 4-12 overall and 4-8 in conference play, put up a valiant effort, particularly in the second half, where they outscored Johnson by 24 points. Elijah White was the standout performer for Bluefield, scoring an impressive 33 points and making significant contributions with seven assists and three steals. Quantavis McKinney also played a pivotal role, recording a double-double with 24 points and 9 rebounds.
Despite their strong performance in the second half, Bluefield was unable to complete the comeback, hampered by a lower free throw percentage of 66.7% and their inability to capitalize on second-chance opportunities. Johnson's defensive efforts and strategic play in crucial moments, including forcing 12 turnovers, helped them maintain a slim lead until the final buzzer.
