AROUND THE RIM - FEBRUARY 16 EDITION
By Chris Granozio
SYRACUSE – Lots to cover over the past week, and we begin with a perennial must-see non-conference match-up between Rockland County rivals whose campuses are less than a mile apart.
Upset Special
Throw out the records when archrivals St. Thomas Aquinas and Dominican lock horns. The former NAIA conference foes now reside in Division 2, albeit in different conferences, and thankfully (for us hoops junkies) they renewed their rivalry a few years back and, as a result, treat us to some noteworthy matchups (ironically, the two were scheduled to meet at the 2020 NCAA Regional at Bridgeport before COVID canceled the entire tournament).
Their latest encounter took place on Wednesday in Sparkill – a day later than it should have due to a rash of unnecessary postponements Tuesday (see latest Rim Shots column). Seth Sharif-Brown totaled 25 points, nine rebounds, four assists and four steals off the bench in leading Dominican to a 90-73 victory and snapping STAC’s region-best win streaks of eight overall and eight at home. A 27-9 uprising spanning the halves was the difference in this one as the Chargers – now 5-0 vs. the ECC – expanded a modest 43-38 lead to 70-47, never allowing their hosts any closer than 14 points thereafter. Dominican – which also received 19 points from Josh Serrano – was the vastly superior shooting team (50%-34%), especially from behind the 3-point line (15-31 to 4-19), offsetting the Spartans’ 55-30 mandate on the glass. James Patterson had another ho-hum day at the office with 29 points and 14 boards for #15 Aquinas, which has now dropped the last three head-to-heads and whose only two home losses this season have come at the hands of CACC North clubs (Post was the other, on opening weekend).
The longest active home court win streaks in the region are now held by ECC counterparts Staten Island and Roberts Wesleyan with five apiece.
Bonus Basketball
No fewer than four games went overtime last Saturday, with the unlikeliest taking place in the City of Brotherly Love. Aamir Hurst’s uncontested lay-up with five seconds to play in regulation capped a stunning 12-0 flourish over the last 2:11 as Holy Family stunned Dominican, 85-78. A rollercoaster ride of a game, the Tigers led 38-28 at the half, then fell behind 71-59 before their rise from the ashes. Jason Shields – who enjoyed a career day with 29 points (4-7 from 3, 11-13 FT) and 13 rebounds – kicked off the extra session with four free throws and accounted for 11 of his team’s 14 OT points as Holy Family ended the game with a 26-7 flourish. Sharif-Brown topped the Chargers’ scorecard with 24 points and 11 rebounds as he and his fellow reserves outscored the DUNY starters (yet again), 55-23.
Post also rose from the dead against Wilmington at the Drubner Center, 80-78, overcoming a 60-49 deficit with four-and-a-half minutes left in regulation and a 65-57 shortfall with 1:33 remaining. The ensuing 10-2 spurt culminated in dramatic fashion as Bol Akot’s 3-point attempt for the win was blocked by Amiri Stewart, but the rebound fell into the hands of Harrison Warnock, who spun toward the basket and banked in the tying shot at the horn. The Eagles fell behind again in OT, 73-67, but rallied once more, edging in front, 77-76, on a pair of foul shots by Bol Akot (19 points, 13-14 FT, four assists), while Robert Sanders iced it at the line with five seconds on the clock, improving his team’s overtime record to 3-0 this winter. Deng Deang (17 points, 11 rebounds) and Warnock (17, 7) were major factors in the win, the latter providing all seven of his team’s points over the final 1:08 of regulation. Taalib Holloman (22 points) and Stewart (20) paced the Wildcats. Both teams combined to shoot a frigid 7-47 from downtown Waterbury.
The NE10’s second-place teams each earned OT triumphs. In Manchester, Matt Becht led five in double figures with 15 points and five assists as Southern New Hampshire held off Adelphi, 81-75, in a game it led 57-41 midway through the second half. Dayshaun Walton’s controversial “And-1” with 1.3 seconds to play knotted the score, and the Panthers drew first blood in the bonus round before the Penmen unleashed a 15-3 run to seize control at 81-72, Jordan Brathwaite delivering the go-ahead jumper to make it 71-69. Walton paved the way for Adelphi with 25 points and four assists in 43 minutes, while Elijah Lewis (21 points in 43 minutes) and Conor Regan (18 points, 10 rebounds) also made their presences felt in a losing effort.
In Worcester, Bentley erased a 16-point second-half deficit and squeaked past Assumption in double overtime, 101-98, tying the contest on a pair of Kellen Bochenek free throws with 24 seconds to go in the second half. Both teams only mustered four points in the first OT, but Joe Carroll, who busted out for a career-high 26 points and eight rebounds off the bench, and Zach Laput (17 points, 10 boards, four assists) drained 3-pointers to kick off the second OT and the Falcons led the entire period, holding their collective breaths as Kyle Gaskins’ tying trey attempt missed at the buzzer. Cash McClure contributed a career high-tying 24 points and eight caroms for the winners, while Kani Glover (22, 10), Njavan Stewart (22 points, five assists) and Daouda Dembele (19 points, 11 rebounds, six helpers) did most of the damage for the Greyhounds, who shot a strong 51% but were outworked at the stripe (24-30 to 9-13) and on the glass (50-28).
Assumption played yet another elongated game on Tuesday, falling to Pace at the Goldstein Center, 79-73, in a matchup of the two teams that have played the most overtime games in the region (AU 2-3, PU 3-1). In a game that saw 12 ties and 17 lead changes, there were neither in OT as Bryan Powell’s 3-pointer and lay-up sparked an 11-0 run at the start of the bonus period to open up a 76-65 lead that was never seriously challenged as the Setters maintained a sixth-place tie with Southern New Hampshire in the NE10 pecking order. The resurgent Powell tallied 27 points on extremely efficient shooting (9-10 FG, 3-3 from 3), while Trey Alexander notched the program’s first-ever triple-double with 18 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists (accomplished during regulation, for good measure). The nation’s top assister joins St. Thomas Aquinas’ Rich Smith with the region’s only triple-doubles this season. Kasey Draper finished with 16 points and four assists in 41 minutes for the Greyhounds, who have played no fewer than eight overtime periods on the campaign.
CACC Dribbles…
Well, that wacky North Division continues to be bananas. Case in point: Wednesday’s rockfight between Post and Bloomfield in North Jersey was a battle for first place, but the Bears’ 76-71 victory actually knocked the Eagles into fifth place and temporarily out of playoff position. Four points was the greatest separation between the two rivals until the hosts commenced a 24-5 run that transformed a 45-41 deficit into a 65-50 lead with 8:55 left. Reserve rookie Starrell Hearns’ dunk was the punctuation mark as he led Bloomfield with 15 points, and Post’s late comeback bid ran out of clock despite 18 bench points from TaQuan Williams. Both teams combined for a marvelous 40 assists to just 21 turnovers.
Bloomfield leads the division despite being spanked by Jefferson at home last Saturday, 90-68, snapping the Bears’ seven-game win streak. The game was a clinic for the Rams, who shot a sizzling 59% (10-20 from long range) and bolted out of the gate with a 41-19 lead. The Margin hovered between 18 and 28 the entirety of the second period as all five starters reached double figures, led by Erik Timko (23 points, 9-10 FG, 5-6 from 3, four assists), Antonin Kemkeng (17 points, 11 rebounds) and Hakim Byrd (10 points, seven boards, eight assists). Al Fatir Connor was high man for Bloomfield with 16 points and 11 dishes as once again, the assist-turnover ratios were off the charts (JU 27/10, BC 22/5).
Caldwell won three games over a five-day stretch. It began with a ludicrous offensive display vs. Goldey-Beacom in Delaware, 101-92, that saw the Cougars shoot a phenomenal 80% after halftime (20-25) and the Lightning a terrific 61% (17-28) while combining to convert a fantastic 14-22 from beyond the arc (GBC 9-14). Darnell Evans – who churned out a Kobe Bryant-esque 93 points in five days – led the charge with 37 points and six assists, including a trifecta to kick off a 23-6 run that flipped a 50-48 deficit into a 71-56 advantage with 10:14 remaining. Goldey – which received 30 points from Zayon Marsh – whittled its deficit down to 97-92 on a 3-ball by Nazim Derry (21 points) with 38 seconds to go, but Evans quelled the momentum with four straight foul shots to close out the scoring. Mark Heber chimed in with 19 points – all in the second half – for Caldwell, which went on to defeat Chestnut Hill, 85-61, in Philadelphia during a non-conference match-up. Evans tossed in another 26 while cousin Melvin Evans netted a career-best 18 with five assists off the bench as the Cougars shot 56% and took control in the second half, scoring the game’s final 12 points. Argel Pettit IV chalked up 22 points for the Griffins… Evans then erupted for 30 points and seven rebounds in a home win vs. resilient Bridgeport, which shaved a 75-53 deficit to 87-82 in the final minute before Caldwell closed it out with 6-8 at the line. Derrick Bueno offered 24 points, seven boards and four assists for the victors, who cashed in at the stripe (32-47) as there were 52 fouls (including two technicals) and 72 foul shots in the whistle-fest. Tim Dawson (25 points, 5-6 from afar, five assists) and DeAndre Collins (22 points, eight rebounds) did the heavy lifting for the Purple Knights.
Jefferson remains hot on the heels of Goldey-Beacom for supremacy in the South, still a game off the pace after its road wins at Bloomfield and Wilmington. In the latter, the region’s best shooting team converted a whopping 64% of its attempts (9-14 from downtown Newark) – and needed to – in holding off the Wildcats and avenging its worst home loss. Once again, all five starters finished in twin figures, led by Timko (25 points, 11-12 FT, six rebounds, seven assists) and Byrd (18 points, eight helpers). The Rams led from start to finish, using a 17-0 blitz to establish control at 46-26, but the Cats came as close as 89-83 with 1:14 to go before succumbing. Stewart notched a career-best 30 points and handed out six assists for Wilmington. TWICE in this game, Timko went 4-4 at the line courtesy of personal and technical foul pairings. Jefferson has now won 14 of 18 and remains a game out of first.
Goldey-Beacom remains the frontrunner and becomes the first CACC team to clinch a playoff berth after surviving a scare vs. Georgian Court at the Jones Center. The Lions led 45-35 early in the second stanza, but the Lightning chipped away, then used a late 16-3 spell to pull away, 73-61, consigning its guests to an 11th straight loss and leaving them winless in league play. Caleb Bates (21 points, 10 rebounds) and Derry (15 points, seven boards, five assists) were the linchpins for Goldey, which converted 9-15 from 3-point land. Donavin Crawford (career-high 24 points) and Clint Wright, Jr. (21 points, 5-5 from 3) accounted for 45 of Georgian Court’s 61 points as they received no bench points and fell to 1-19 all-time in the series. Wright is now a brilliant 20-35 lifetime from 3-point range vs. Goldey-Beacom.
Jayden Iturmendi registered 15 points off the bench (2-2 from distance), including the go-ahead 3-pointer with 1:52 left in Bridgeport’s 78-74 win over Georgian Court at Hubbell Gym. Again, the Lions were poised to end their losing streak, ahead 70-66 with just over four minutes remaining before the Purple Knights closed out the contest with a 12-4 flourish, the final nails in the coffin provided by Nick Trail at the line with 14 seconds showing. Wright was the best of the bunch for the Lions with 24 points (5-9 from 3).
NE10 Dribbles…
Cash McClure racked up 19 points, seven rebounds, four assists and three steals, while being flanked by Zach Laput’s 19 points and eight dishes in Bentley’s 84-65 rout of first-place St. Michael’s in Waltham. The Falcons raced out to a 34-17 lead and maintained a double-digit spread the remainder of the contest, riding a 26-9 wave to open up a game-high 70-40 chasm. Jhamyl Fricas’ 17 bench points paced the Purple Knights, who maintain a two-game edge over Bentley and Adelphi.
St. Mike’s never trailed in its previous road triumph over New Haven, 69-59, setting in motion a 20-4 burst to manifest a 59-38 margin that never dipped into single digits. Nolan Marold (12 rebounds) and Romar Reid (3-4 from downtown West Haven) each tallied 17 points for the winners, who tied a program record with their 10th true road win (set in 2000-01). Davontrey Thomas scored 22 points for the Chargers, who lost at home to the Purple Knights for the first time since a 66-63 setback on January 24, 2017. New Haven received no points from its bench and went just 0-2 at the foul line, with zero 2-shot fouls on the night.
Elijah Lewis’ 23 points topped the scoresheet for Adelphi in its 84-72 win over Franklin Pierce in Rindge – the hosts’ eight straight loss and 14th in 15 games. The game was even at 25-25 when the Panthers embarked on a 27-6 run to seize control at 52-31. Ugo Nwatchukwu provided 20 points off the bench for the Ravens.
Justice Ellison (25 points, nine rebounds) and Jacob Barnett (12 points in 10 bench minutes, 3-3 FG) were the top dogs in American International’s upset of Southern New Hampshire in Springfield. The Yellow Jackets led from wire to wire, using a 13-3 spurt in widening the lead to 55-36 on a Barnett 3-point play with 8:56 to go, the margin bouncing between 13 and 19 the balance of the ballgame. Matt Becht’s 19-point effort (5-8 from 3) was tops for the Penmen.
Southern Connecticut is all alone in fourth place after a five-game winning streak. A 16-2 second-half run opened up a 61-44 lead vs. St. Anselm at Stoutenburgh Gym, and the Owls held off the Hawks down the stretch as all five starters reached double digits. Marty Silvera (23 points, five assists) and Cherif Diarra (12 points, career high-tying 15 rebounds) led the attack, while Tyler Arbuckle had the hot hand for St. A’s with 25 points in 40 minutes… Southern followed up that win by annihilating crosstown rival New Haven at Moore Field House, constructing leads of 25-7, 44-19 and 56-24 before settling in for a 75-60 final. Mason Williams came off the bench for 19 points (5-8 from long range) and Diarra amassed 16 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks for the Owls, who used the 3-point line as a weapon (10-26 to 3-18). Jah’Likai King was the lone bright spot for the Chargers with 17 points.
Bryan Powell eclipsed his career high with 40 points (15-22 FG, 8-10 from 3) and became the first Pace player to record 40 since his brother Brandon exploded for 44 last year as the Setters took care of Franklin Pierce, 93-80, snapping a four-game skid in the process. Pierce Prendergast and R.J. Delahaye both scored 15 for the Ravens.
Josh Morissette started the day in a walking boot and finished with 26 points in St. Anselm’s 79-61 win over Saint Rose in Manchester. Morissette’s 3-pointer four 62-44, and the Hawks never relented. Christian Pierre-Louis compiled a 17-point, 11-rebound double-double for the Golden Knights, who went on to top American International at Nolan Gym, bolting out to a 28-10 lead, then falling behind 48-45 before pulling it out thanks in large part to a late 13-4 spurt. Tristian Jeffries (19 points) and Nuhia Sagnia (12 points, career-best 15 rebounds) fueled Saint Rose, which shot 53% and salted away the game by making 5-6 at the line over the last 45 seconds. Ellison cranked out 26 points and pulled down eight boards for the Yellow Jackets.
ECC Dribbles…
Prior to its loss to Dominican, St. Thomas Aquinas’ eighth straight win was a revenge victory over Roberts Wesleyan at Aquinas Hall on Sunday, 101-84. Thirteen straight points broke open a 42-42 deadlock, then a 22-7 second-half upswing stretched a 73-70 lead to a resounding 95-77 as the Spartans dominated the glass, 53-32. James Patterson (30 points, 10 rebounds) and Rich Smith (13 points, 10 boards, five assists) were the difference-makers for STAC, while Kevin Contant (16 points) and Malik Brooks (13 points, 14 rebounds, five assists) fronted the Redhawks. Both teams left a lot of points at the line (STAC 16-30, RWC 7-14).
Staten Island has carved out some space in second place after a pair of home wins, including the completion of a season sweep of third-place Daemen at The Tank last Friday, 79-67. Adam Goldstein broke out with a personal-best 28 points (6-9 from long distance) as the Dolphins made an early splash with a 41-18 lead. Dylan Fasoyiro produced 24 points for the Wildcats, who closed the gap in the second half, coming as close as seven before falling… CSI then ran away from D’Youville two days later, 102-83. Twelve of the 13 Dolphins who saw action scored in the wire-to-wire win, which again saw the hosts jump out to a big lead (34-14), eventually boasting an 89-54 upper hand with 9:02 to go. Bryce Waterman scored his 21 points exclusively on 7-12 shooting from behind the 3-point line, ascending the 1,000-point plateau in the process. Messiah Mallory was also 7-12 from the floor, though each of his attempts came inside the arc as part of a 15-point afternoon. Noah Hutchins achieved a career-high 24 points for the Saints, who also saw Bryson Birdsong go 12-12 from the foul line as part of a 19-point, seven-rebound, three-block day. D’Youville has now dropped its last eight and falls to 0-6 vs. its fellow D3 transition partners.
Daemen rallied to top District of Columbia in Washington and salvage a weekend road split, 79-71. Justin Glover collected 17 of his career-high 21 points in the first half while distributing five assists in a reserve role for the Wildcats, who also saw Joey Atkins double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds, and Andrew Mason record his 1,000th career point with a 13-point effort. Daemen trailed 57-50 with just over nine minutes to play, then clamped down on D, keeping the Firebirds without a field goal for eight-and-a-half minutes, riding a 27-6 wave that put the game out of reach at 77-63 with 1:07 left. Eric Morgan, Jr. managed 18 points and Hartnel Haye 15 with 12 boards for UDC, though it wasn’t enough to prevent a 13th straight loss in the series.
The Firebirds remain tied with Queens for fourth place and a possible home playoff game after taking down D’Youville in the nation’s capital, 77-72. A 27-5 power run wiped out an early 14-6 hole and put the hosts in control, 33-19. Vernon Simmons was impactful off the bench with 22 points (5-7 FG, 3-4 from 3, 9-11 FT) and eight rebounds, while Morgan chipped in with 16 and eight, respectively. All five starters recorded double figures for the Saints, highlighted by Nelson St. Louis (15 points, seven rebounds) and Nasir Hammonds (13, 19), the latter rebound total representing the highest by an individual in the region this year – 10 of which came on the offensive end. The game was a fundamental eyesore with a combined 40 turnovers, 47 fouls and 62 free-throw attempts.
A career-high 26 points (11-14 FG) and 12 rebounds from Kevin Constant fueled Roberts Wesleyan’s 84-68 win over Mercy in Dobbs Ferry. Sean Conroy scored 14 (4-8 from distance) for the Mavericks, who have lost 10 straight.
Poll Position
St. Thomas Aquinas remains the only ranked regional team in the NABC Top 25 Coaches’ Poll, climbing another five spots to #15. St. Michael’s is receiving votes while West Texas A&M stays at #1.
In Memorium
Here’s to the memory of Ken Johnson, who served as sports information director for three teams in our region: Bridgeport, St. Anselm and Assumption. Johnson left us this week – way too soon at age 47 – after numerous medical issues. Ken was always an attentive, helpful professional whose humility and work ethic were his trademarks. Most recently the SID at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Johnson will be missed by all of us who knew him.
Next week, I’ll have another two columns, beginning with the Team of the Decade for 2000-09 (Steve Zerdelian and I published similar features for the last decade and they can be viewed under our ARCHIVES tab. Steve’s 2000-09 feature is now available on our WOMEN’S page). Next Around the Rim comes your way next Friday. Until then, Happy hooping to all!