Courtesy of the CIAA
Johnson C. Smith (12–15) delivered the signature moment of the 2026 CIAA Tournament Thursday night, knocking off nationally ranked Virginia Union (24–5) in a dramatic 64–63 quarterfinal thriller at CFG Bank Arena. With the game — and their season — on the line, Food Lion Player of the Game Jamauri Bryant rose to the moment, burying the go-ahead three with seven seconds remaining to push the Golden Bulls into Friday’s semifinal against #1 Southern seed Fayetteville State at 8 p.m.
What began as a tightly contested first half evolved into one of the tournament’s most memorable finishes. After entering halftime down 31–30, Johnson C. Smith battled through a second half filled with intense defensive stops, fastbreak swings, and constant momentum shifts. Virginia Union pushed ahead early in the half, but the Golden Bulls repeatedly countered with timely scoring and critical defensive plays.
JCSU found its rhythm midway through the second half, answering every Panther basket with one of its own. After briefly taking control with a 56–50 lead, the Golden Bulls were met by a fierce Union rally. Nehemiah Johnson’s fastbreak layup made it a one-point game, and Malachi Dark’s finish plus the foul gave Virginia Union a 58–56 advantage with 1:30 left. When Tahj Harding knocked down two free throws at the 45-second mark for a 60–56 lead, the Panthers seemed poised to escape.
But Johnson C. Smith refused to fold. Pettigrew’s free throws cut the deficit in half, and after a pair of Union free throws pushed it to 62–58, Orlando Hudson delivered a clutch three-point play to make it 62–61 with 17 seconds remaining. Following a Union free throw, the Golden Bulls had one final possession. Pettigrew drove, drew the defense, and kicked the ball out to Bryant, who calmly drilled the biggest shot of JCSU’s season — a right-wing three with seven seconds left that secured the 64–63 upset.
Statistically, the Golden Bulls were led by Trey Pettigrew, who finished with 17 points, three assists, and two steals while orchestrating key late-game possessions. Jared Davis added 13 points, six rebounds, and two blocks, anchoring the interior on both ends. Bryant delivered 13 points and seven rebounds, including the decisive three. Justin Bumbray contributed nine points off the bench on three made threes, and Orlando Hudson added six points, highlighted by his critical late three-point play.
Virginia Union was paced by Malachi Dark’s 14 points and seven boards, O’Maundre Harris’ 13 points, and Bobby Gardner, who added 11 points and four steals.
