RALEIGH, N.C. (Jan. 19) - Saint Augustine's University nearly erased a huge deficit but fell 69-61 to Johnson C. Smith in a CIAA Southern Division men's basketball game at Emery Gymnasium on Wednesday.

The Falcons dug a hole for themselves early and trailed by double digits most of the contest. The margin reached 18 midway in the second half before they began their comeback.

Led by the scoring of Josh Page (Sr./Washington, DC), Ryan Moore (So./Creedmoor, NC) and Dhashon Dyson (So./Chicago, IL), the Falcons closed within 59-53 with under two minutes left, but the Golden Bulls held on down the stretch.

Dyson scored 24 points, including 18 in the second half, to lead all scorers. Moore scored a season-high 15 points and Page added 14 points for the Falcons (0-2 Southern Division, 1-5 CIAA, 3-13 overall).

Augustine Ominu scored 16 points to lead three double-figure scorers for the Golden Bulls (1-1 Southern Division, 1-4 CIAA, 4-9 overall).

After four home games in seven days, the Falcons will play two games in two days over the weekend. They visit Claflin on Saturday, Jan. 22, and host Bowie State on Sunday, Jan. 23.