By Chris Granozio
SAN FRANCISCO – Here’s hoping everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I couldn’t be any further away from the East Region, but I’ve been following all the action as best I can, and have been collecting all sorts of nuggets for everyone, so without further ado, feast on the following…
The Last of the Unbeatens
Post remains one of three East Region teams that are still undefeated and currently co-ruling the region at 5-0. The Eagles gutted out a huge win vs. perennial power St. Thomas Aquinas in Sparkill in what might be the best game of the year this far: a 109-107 overtime thriller that saw no more than a two-possession separation over the final 27:09 and both teams boast a 41-point scorer: James Patterson for the Spartans (13-24 FG, 4-5 from 3-point range, 11-12 FT) and newcomer Bol Akot for the Eagles (11-18 FG, 19-24 FT). The region’s biggest surprise thus far, Akot played three years ago for fellow Nutmeg State school Quinnipiac before a circuitous route landed him at a Missouri JUCO and out of the game last winter. After Ethan Millirons’ miraculous, half-court 3-pointer at the regulation buzzer, Akot accounted for eight of his team’s 11 points in OT, including the winning jumper with two seconds left. His 41-point outing was the highest by a Post player since Brandon Romain chalked up 42 vs. Chestnut Hill on February 11, 2009 (Romain also netted 41 earlier that season at South Dakota). The Eagles are off to their first 5-0 start since joining the NCAA ranks 22 years ago. And the last time a regional game featured individual 40-point performances from both teams was Adelphi’s 101-91 playoff victory over Bentley on February 24, 2017 when the Panthers’ Michael Coffey exploded for 44 and the Falcons’ Ryan Richmond poured in 45. Both were career highs.
Hello Old Friend
After a year out of the region at Florida Southern, Pace point guard Tray Alexander sank an off-balance, game-winning jumper at the top of the key just ahead of the final horn against Saint Rose, which coincidentally was the team with whom he spent his first two seasons. Just three days earlier, the Long Island native came up big with 21 points and 10 assists in another tight home win vs. Felician. The 5-0 Setters – after one fruitless season of head-to-head action vs. regional champion New Haven – resumed its defensive dominance of the Chargers with a wire-to-wire triumph in West Haven, using a 38-21 upper hand on the backboards as well as a 14-0 run over a 9:36 span bridging the halves to take control, 39-24, never allowing their hosts within single digits thereafter.
Dominican is the other team with an unblemished record through five games after withstanding a late Daemen run, escaping upset-minded Mansfield and romping past Queens, all at the Hennessy Center. In the opening contest, the Chargers built a 60-45 lead, only to see the Wildcats slice it to 73-72 on a Sean Fasoyiro lay-up with 16 seconds left before Joey Merrill capped the scoring with two free throws eight seconds later as Fasoyiro’s three attempt for the tie was off the mark. Joey Atkins amassed 19 points, 13 rebounds and five steals (the latter two being personal bests) in a losing effort. In the middle game, Seth Sharif-Brown erupted for a career-high 32 points (13-20 FG) in just as many minutes off the bench, eight of those points coming in overtime and none bigger than the go-ahead lay-up at 3:34. The Chargers weathered 48 combined points from the Ali bothers: Saraj (26) and Idris (22), who accounted for more than half the Mountaineers’ scoring output. A massive 29-0 barrage over a six-and-a-half minute stretch of the second half was the difference, transforming a six-point game into a 73-38 romp. Merrill paced the DU attack with 18 points, while no Knights player reached double figures despite all 11 who saw action reaching the score column.
Oh! When the Saints Come Marching In
Huge props to D’Youville, which in year three of its D2 reclassification pulled off a major upset last Sunday, knocking off #25 Mercyhurst – a PSAC power – 62-58 for the program’s signature win. Making it even more notable is that it was the Saints’ first win this year, only the ninth at this level – and just the sixth vs. a D2 opponent. Nasir Hammonds (15 points, seven rebounds) assisted on the biggest basket of the game: Kevin Thompson’s 3-pointer with 1:29 to play that made it 59-53. Hammonds then sealed the deal at the foul line with 1.3 seconds on the clock as the hosts remarkably maintained between a one and six-point upper hand over the last 9:30. D’Youville had been 0-3 to start the season and had allowed nearly 100 points per game but had been showing signs of improvement each time out. Now, Andy Stark’s team will no longer be able to sneak up on anyone!
Mercyhurst has actually played all three Western New York schools this November, losing to both the Buffalo teams while eking out a victory over Roberts Wesleyan in Rochester on a Jeff Planutis tip-in with one second remaining. That capped a rally that saw the Lakers erase an 11-point second-half deficit and spoil a 25-point outing by Malik Brooks.
Daemen avenged a buzzer-beating home loss to Mercyhurst a year ago by delivering a one-point road win of its own. The Wildcats sweated this one out as their 57-43 advantage with 9:29 to go nearly evaporated because the Lakers outscored their guests 20-7 the remainder of the ballgame. It was nearly enough but a key missed front end and potential winning 3-pointer didn’t fall.
And So We Meet Again
Aaron Latham surpassed his career high with 27 points, including a program record-tying eight triples (in just 11 attempts) as #16 Bentley earned a measure of revenge against New Haven in a rematch of last year’s regional title game at St. Anselm. The 79-60 BU win was also the two teams’ first meeting in Waltham since last January, when the Chargers became the first regional team on record to overcome as much as a 27-point second-half deficit to win, shocking the Falcons, 60-59 on a buzzer-beating baseline basket by Quashawn Lane. Bentley shot a robust 18-37 from beyond the arc this time around (9-16 inside of it), thanks largely to Latham, who joined Billy Holden (1988), Jamie Baker (1997), Lew Finnegan (2008) and Mason Webb (2022) as the only Falcons to can eight treys in a game.
In its next game vs. American International in Springfield, Bentley squandered a 17-point second-half advantage and fell in overtime, 72-66, for its first loss in the series since December 19, 2016 (88-82, also at Butova Gym) – a span of nine games. The Yellow Jackets, buoyed by perhaps the region’s most improved player thus far in Justice Ellison, outscored their commonwealth rivals 37-14 over the game’s final 13:01 and astoundingly committed only three turnovers in 45 minutes (BU had 13) to prevail. Ellison compiled 14 of his 20 points during one critical four-minute stretch late in the second half, and Jalen Jordan delivered the first six points of the extra period that proved the difference for AIC. Kellen Bochenek offered a career-best 21 points in defeat.
Dramatic Finishes
Just one day after Ethan Millirons forced overtime with a long 3-pointer, he turned the trick yet again vs. Goldey-Beacom in the heart-stopping grand finale of STAC’s tournament. The Spartans – who once again relied heavily on sophomore superstar James Patterson (30 points, 10 rebounds) – were staring at a 56-36 deficit early in the second half before uncorking a 27-4 blitz that put the hosts ahead, 63-60 with 10:28 to play. The Lightning used a 19-9 counter-run to surge back in front, 79-72 with under three minutes to go, but back came STAC, tying things up on a pair of Patterson freebies (he was 10-10 from the line) with 13 ticks remaining. Nazim Derry – who led Goldey with 28 points – turned it over on his team’s final possession, setting up Millirons, who came through with a right-corner 3-pointer, lifting his team to its fifth win in six games. Next game vs. fellow 2023 NCAA team Caldwell, also at Aquinas Hall, STAC snapped a 76-76 tie by scoring the last eight points over the final 1:41 to prevail, with Patterson’s slam the punctuation mark. The competitive contest featured seven second-half lead changes, but the Cougars did themselves no favors by going 11-25 from the foul line in falling for the first time.
Eric Morgan, Jr.’s two foul shots with five seconds remaining lifted District of Columbia to an exciting 68-67 victory over Bowie State (MD). The Firebirds had trailed, 67-64 with 17 seconds showing when Tevin Curtis kick-started the rally with a driving lay-up. Then, after an Amare Wimbush turnover, the Bulldogs fouled Morgan, which decided the game as Mark Bradshaw’s 3-point attempt for the win came up short.
Quick Dribbles
- As usual, the Northeast-10 was the first of the region’s three conferences to open league play on November 18, and all the home teams won, namely Southern New Hampshire, Assumption, Bentley, St. Michael’s, Pace and Adelphi. The initial CACC and ECC matchups commence on November 29.
- Adelphi’s win vs. American International in Garden City tested everyone’s patience as there were no fewer than 59 FOULS WHISTLED and 88 FREE THROWS ATTEMPTED! On the bright side, two of the NE10’s hottest players fared well in Ellison (31 points) and Dayshaun Walton (25). Both combined to go 24-28 at the stripe (naturally).
- Bloomfield’s 66-54 home triumph over New Haven saw both teams shoot a combined 36% from the floor (42-117). The Bears used a 14-5, game-ending flourish and 47-26 dominance on the glass to earn the “W.”
- St. Anselm’s 85-79 win at Bridgeport was the two teams’ 53rd all-time meeting (St. A’s holds a 29-25 edge, in case you’re wondering), and that’s believed to be the most between two teams in this region who have never played in the same conference.
- Darrel Yepdo led five in double figures with 25 points as St. Michael’s pulled away from St. Anselm in Vermont, using a 17-2 flurry over the game’s final 7:28 to prevail. The Hawks uncharacteristically misfired on 20 of their last 21 shot attempts. It was the 128th all-time meeting between the rivals as the Purple Knights snapped an eight-game dry spell in the series. And speaking of ending droughts, St. Mike’s followed that win with another vs. Franklin Pierce – its first against the Ravens since a 76-64 victory on February 4, 2015, halting a 12-game skid.
- Tying and go-ahead lay-ups by Paul Green on successive possessions triggered a 13-4, game-ending run as Southern New Hampshire topped crosstown rival St. Anselm at Stoutenburgh Gym in the archrivals’ 77th clash. Noah Kamba dropped all 18 of his points in the opening period for the Penmen. For context’s sake, St. A’s started out 2-3 last season and wound up hosting the regional. So count them out at your own peril.
- Queens avenged an embarrassing 66-62 defeat to unaffiliated Cheyney (PA) back on January 7 with a 94-50 trouncing in Flushing. Sunnie Diamond – who sat out the last meeting – totaled 23 points, 10 rebounds and four assists this time around as the Knights led from start to finish and used a 15-0 spurt out of halftime to end all doubt at 62-28. Diamond pitched in 21 next game at old ECC rival Bridgeport for its second straight win at Hubbell Gym (QC only had one before that). This marked the first time since 2010 that Queens has won three of its first four games of a season.
- Staten Island has taken three in a row (the last two against Philly schools) to end its season-opening, five-game homestand with a winning record, And it was an impressive performance against first-time opponent Jefferson. Freshman guard Aaron Goldstein led the charge with 18 points (4-4 from deep) and seven assists for the Dolphins, who were a terrific 11-20 from beyond the arc as opposed to the Rams’ 8-31.
- As usual, there’s been plenty of crossover action with the PSAC. Jefferson dropped a contest at Millersville (PA), extending its worst start (1-4) since an 0-5 stumble out of the gate in 2007. The Marauders’ Jaden Faulkner finished with 28 points, including the last eight for his club, which won for the first time in the series since that 2007 season. Junior sharpshooter Erik Timko had a shot to tie from long distance in the waning seconds, but the ball slipped out of his hands on his shot attempt. Millersville pulled off the very rare win with only one 3-pointer converted (in 11 attempts).
- Bloomsburg (PA) edged Holy Family, 75-73, but the story in this one was Huskies senior guard Louie Wild, who tallied 18 points vs. the team for whom his dad, Mike Wild, played back when the Tigers made the jump from NAIA to NCAA 20 years ago. The elder Wild most recently served as an assistant coach at his alma mater.
- Goldey-Beacom pummeled Kutztown (PA) at the Jones Center, 110-78, making good on 55% of its shots, including 17-of-30 from downtown Wilmington.
- Georgian Court also handled the Golden Bears at home, thanks to Clint Wright, Jr.’s 8-14 performance from distance, matching his own school record for triples. His eighth was actually the tiebreaking game-winner with 1.3 seconds remaining.
- All five starters reached double figures in Daemen’s easy win over Slippery Rock (PA), which began a six-game road swing for The Rock. Justin Hemphill was a nearly perfect 9-10 from the floor in garnering 22 points for the Wildcats, who feasted off turnovers to the tune of 34-8.
- Roberts Wesleyan couldn’t bring it home at Edinboro despite a 72-68 lead inside of six minutes. The Fighting Scots rattled off nine straight to seize control, with Bernie Blunt doing most of the damage (23 points, 14-14 FT). Malik Brooks tabulated 27 for the Redhawks.
- A 31-12 upswing transformed a 52-46 game into an 83-58 runaway at the 2:40 juncture as Caldwell blasted Bloomsburg at the Newman Center.
- Markus Frank’s tiebreaking, catch-and-shoot right-wing jumper with 1:02 on the clock represented the final points of the game as Shippensburg (PA) spoiled Chestnut Hill’s home opener, 73-71.
- The Griffins and Mercy Mavericks remain the region’s lone winless clubs, each at 0-6, but their games are noticeably more competitive and positive returns are likely to follow. Molloy earned its first win vs. Holy Family in game one of a two-day swing through the CACC South. Rookie playmaker Robbie Matos chalked up 22 points, 13 of which came during a crucial, 18-7 run that flipped a 58-56 deficit into a 74-65 windfall with 24 seconds on the clock. This one was decided at the foul line, where the Lions sank 21 of 27 and the Tigers were a dreadful 6-20. Molloy also convincingly won the glass, 42-26.
- Next day in Delaware, the Lions were tamed by Wilmington, which rode a 24-0 wave and saw a modest 21-20 lead balloon to 45-20 as all 11 Wildcats scored. It was the second win in as many games for WilmU, which had defeated West Chester three days prior. Taalib Holloman totaled 39 points on 16-26 shooting over his teams’ two wins.
- In St. Thomas Aquinas’ aforementioned victory vs. Caldwell, Ethan Millirons converted three of his four 3-point attempts. All the other players combined to go 5-41 from deep.
- Edward Ngene notched a career-best 22 points (9-9 FG) and rejected seven shots, while Deavion Ellis chimed in with 19 points (7-10 FG, 5-7 from 3) to buoy Bloomfield past District of Columbia in a weekday game at The Den, 94-68. The Bears were the superior shooters (52%-33%) and crafted a spiffy 3/1 assist/turnover ratio (27/9), but the matinee idol was redshirt freshman guard Starrelle Hearns, whose steal, drive, dunk-and-1 was slam-tastic: https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cz_Vhw_r_kh/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
- Felician hung with Division I Manhattan (58-55 with just over eight minutes left) before the Jaspers pulled away late. Justin Davis turned in a 17-point, 14-rebound performance for the Golden Falcons.
Renaissance
If you’re looking for some rim-rockin’ basketball action on Saturday, check out the annual Harlem Renaissance Festival as Bloomfield and Holy Family will take on Winston-Salem State and Elizabeth City State, respectively, at Gauchos Gym in The Bronx. These will be the first-ever NCAA teams to play inside the historic venue, and there will be plenty of off-court activities, as well, such as HBCU bands, DJ Tony Love, DJ CEO, cheerleaders, and much more. Darryl Roberts always makes it a sensational event, so go check it out! The fun begins at 11 am, with the first game tipping off at noon.
Mo’ Money, Mo’ Problems
Due to unexplained software glitches from our website provider, Presto Sports, there are some statistics that are currently not updating, and those affect multiple areas on the site. We are working with Presto and hope to have the issues corrected and stats updated within the coming days. We appreciate your patience.
Upset Updates
We thank our unflappable, avid readers, who pointed out two more exhibition wins vs. D1 opponents throughout the years. I, too, discovered another one through some research. They have been added to the list below and are underlined. Happy hooping to all!
Saint Rose 84 Binghamton 76 – November 13, 2004 (CSR 21-9, BU 12-17)
Bentley 82 Northeastern 76 – November 8, 2005 (BU 21-9, NU 19-11)
Saint Rose 61 Binghamton 59 – November 4, 2006 (CSR 22-10, BU 13-16)
Philadelphia over Delaware (no score or date on record) (PU 27-8, DU 13-19)
Le Moyne 82 Syracuse 79 – November 3, 2009 (LC 18-10, SU 30-5)
Concordia 82 Manhattan 80 – November 9, 2010 (CC 10-16, MC 6-25)
Bridgeport 63 Fairfield 59 – November 1, 2013 (UB 18-11 FU 7-25)
Le Moyne 75 Monmouth 66 – November 3, 2013 (LC 17-12, MU 11-21)
Philadelphia 79 James Madison 76 – November 2, 2014 (PU 28-8, JMU 19-14)
St. Michael’s 63 Vermont 61 – November 8, 2014 (SMC 18-11, UVM 20-14)
Daemen 83 Canisius 81 (OT) – November 11, 2014 (DC 21-10, CC 18-15)
St. Thomas Aquinas 90 St. John’s 58 – November 4, 2015 (STAC 27-5, SJU 8-24)
Philadelphia 79 LaSalle 78 – November 7, 2015 (PU 23-9, LU 9-22)
Bridgeport 88 Fairfield 86 – November 3, 2017 (UB 25-6, FU 17-16)
Le Moyne 73 Siena 71 – November 4, 2017 (LC 27-7, SC 8-24 but wins vacated)
Pace 63 St. John’s 59 – October 29, 2023 (PU ?, SJU ?)
In-Season Upsets:
Le Moyne 77 Army 70 – February 7, 1989 (LC 15-12, Army 12-16)
University of the Sciences 54 Drexel 52 – December 4, 2014 (US 25-6, DU 12-19)
Caldwell 63 Binghamton 52 – December 8, 2014 (CU 15-13, BU 6-26)
St. Michael’s 80 Vermont 72 – December 31, 2015 (SMC 19-8, UVM 23-14)
Caldwell 64 Norfolk State 54 – November 26, 2019 (CU 12-15, NSU 16-15)
Georgian Court 75 Delaware State 69 – December 10, 2022 (GCU 12-16, DSU 6-24)