Important results affected the playoff chases across two of the three regional conferences on Tuesday, but we kick off the rundown with the most lopsided game of the night thanks to another milestone for the East’s most celebrated player:
USCIENCES 88 WILMINGTON 59
Garret Kerr exploded for 27 of his 33 points (11-16 FG, 4-5 from long range) in the first half while adding 11 rebounds and four assists in leading red-hot University of the Sciences past Wilmington in a Delaware drubbing for its region-best ninth straight triumph. The offensive output for the preseason D2 Player of the Year was enough to surpass Shannon Overton’s 17-year-old program scoring record as Kerr now sits at 2,197 points (he already holds the rebound standard with 1,292). The first-place Devils – who prior to the game broke into the national rankings for the first time ever at #25 – only trailed once at the outset (2-0) before holding the Wildcats without a basket for an 8:24 stretch later in the half, stringing together 18 unanswered points to take control at 33-12. Kerr and Sho Da-Silva (20 points on 6-of-9 shooting in a reserve role) accounted for all the points during the big run, with Da-Silva’s put-back at the halftime buzzer putting the visitors on top 50-22. The second half was a mere formality as the lead ranged between 22 and 34 points. USciences – which also received 13 points (6-7 FG) and four steals off the bench from Flo Da-Silva – was the vastly superior shooting club (58%-40%) while feasting at the foul line (22-25 to 6-15) and outscoring its hosts 18-8 off turnovers, improving to 4-0 in the state of Delaware on the season. The game marked Kerr’s 21st double-double this season and 83rd all-time, both tops among all players in the country. Valentino Thompson was the lone double-figure scorer for the Cats with 13 points as they still control their own destiny for the fourth and final playoff spot in the CACC South.
PHILADELPHIA 65 CHESTNUT HILL 63
Andre Gibbs’ traditional 3-point play with 12.9 seconds left capped a 7-0 game-closing run as third-place Philadelphia rallied to nip crosstown rival Chestnut Hill at Sorgenti Arena to provide Herb Magee with a memorable 1,001st career coaching victory. The Rams – who led 43-34 on a Gibbs triple with 12:33 to play – were outscored 22-7 in falling into a 56-50 hole with 5:08 remaining following a lay-up by Noel Hightower (six points, 14 rebounds). They were still staring at a 63-58 deficit after a trey by Billy Cassidy (18 points off the bench, 4-8 from 3) with 1:23 to go before Nick Schlitzer (10 points) tallied four points in 19 seconds on two foul shots and a transition lay-up, setting up the winning play. Edward McWade (11 points, 10 rebounds) had a chance to tie, but his open lay-up from the left block rimmed out at the buzzer, consigning the Griffins to an eighth consecutive loss. Peter Alexis (three blocked shots) and Derek Johnson each totaled 18 points and nine rebounds to pace Philly U, while Gibbs chipped in with 11 points and four assists. Seamus Radtke garnered 10 points for the Griffs, who won the glass (39-31) and shot better from beyond the arc (5-11 to 5-21), albeit to no avail.
HOLY FAMILY 84 GEORGIAN COURT 67
Across town, Holy Family pulled away from Georgian Court in the second half for its fourth straight win, maintaining its second-place standing, a game off the pace. Marvin Crawford generated 24 points (9-11 FG) and seven rebounds, while Eric Fleming notched all 17 of his points in a reserve role before intermission, including three straight 3-balls that highlighted a 25-6 power run to flip a 13-8 deficit into a 33-19 lead. The Lions trimmed their shortfall to 55-53 with less than 11 minutes on the clock before the Tigers rattled off a dozen points in succession – the last six by Reggie Charles (15 points) – to wrest control at 67-53. The lead grew to 84-64 shortly before the final horn as Holy Family won the rebound battle (43-33) and outscored its guests 26-15 off of mistakes. Juwuan Carter (14 points) and J.D. Rodriguez (11 off the bench) were the most productive scorers for Georgian Court in a losing cause. The game was marred by 48 fouls and 38 turnovers.
POST 82 CALDWELL 61
The North Division playoff picture continues to be cloudy and extremely changeable. Case in point: Post dealing Caldwell a big blow at the Drubner Center, sweeping the season series and snapping a four-game slide in the process to bolster its postseason position. Nardie Bogues – Muggsy’s nephew – was on fire all night, cranking out a career-high 30 points on 9-of-11 shooting, including 8-of-9 from downtown Waterbury to match Zach Krischer’s school record for threes in a game (NCAA era), while adding six rebounds and five assists to his stat line. The Eagles led from wire to wire in this one, jumping out to leads of 7-0 and 40-22 en route to a 49-33 halftime cushion. The Cougars came as close as 16 points on four occasions after the break, the last occurrence being 61-45 after a Kevin Walker lay-up with 11:39 to go before Bogues unleashed back-to-back trifectas to spark an 18-7 flurry that put the game into orbit at 79-52 after another Bogues bomb at the 2:58 mark (he generated 14 of the 17 in the run). Matt Mareno recorded 14 points and six rebounds for Post, which also landed David Seymour (12 points off the pine) in double digits. Billy McDonald (14 points), Walker (12), Tyler Drews (personal-best 10 in a reserve role) and Michael Balkovic (nine points, 12 boards) were the top options for the fifth-place Cougars, who shot a shade better from the field (47%-46%) but were outworked behind the 3-point line (10-22 to 2-16) and racked up more second chances (20-9) while getting punished 26-10 off turnovers in falling further off the playoff pace. Post moves into a virtual tie for second place with Concordia.
CONCORDIA 77 NYACK 73
Concordia repelled Nyack in Bronxville to reclaim second place by percentage points over Post. Jalen Heath produced 22 points and career-high 14 rebounds for the winners, sinking three vital free throws over the final 13 seconds to close out the scoring. Jamie Holder dispensed 21 points (7-9 FG) for the Clippers, including two foul shots and a lay-up to kick-start a 13-3 upswing (he had 11 of the 13) that erased a 62-61 deficit and provided a seemingly comfortable 74-65 advantage with 1:38 to play. But back came the Warriors with eight in a row, drawing within 74-73 after Will Robinson (14 points, 12 rebounds off the bench) split a pair at the stripe with 16 seconds remaining. Heath converted two freebies three seconds later, then – after a potential tying trey try by Khalid Samuels (nine points, four assists) missed the mark with six ticks left – the sophomore guard hit the clinching toss. Tshyrad Oates contributed 18 points to Concordia’s cause, while Nick Moore (18 points, seven caroms), Ezra Gaines (12 points on 4-of-5 shooting from deep) and Chris Hampton (11 points, seven rebounds, five dishes) made their presences felt in a losing effort for Nyack, which outmuscled its hosts on the backboards (47-43, leading to a 16-6 edge in second-chance scoring) but shot just 36% overall in seeing its fading playoff hopes take a big hit.
FELICIAN 81 BLOOMFIELD 71
J.R. Pringley continues to thrive in the sunset of his career, amassing a personal-best 33 points (14-20 FG) and 16 rebounds as Felician stunned Garden State rival Bloomfield at the Deacons’ Den, making David DeFerrari the 19-year-old program’s all-time wins leader with 67. Jeyvi Miavivilulu added 16 points and six rebounds for the Golden Falcons, who sprinted out to an 18-8 advantage before the two teams wound up swapping the lead eight times in the second stanza. A tie game at 68-68 after a Marvin Williams lay-up at the 3:31 mark, Damiun Moore (10 points) scored the go-ahead lay-up 24 seconds later to trigger a 13-3, game-closing flourish as the visitors polished off the Bears by going 7-of-8 at the line over the last 52 seconds. Matt Hall was high man for Bloomfield with 19 points and nine rebounds, while a trio of his teammates sported a baker’s dozen: Nick Davidson (seven rebounds), Ignacio Diez and Williams. The story in this one was shooting as Felician hit a 53% clip and the Bears were a frigid 30%. The Golden Falcons –who won at Bloomfield for the first time since January 11, 2007 – also dominated in the paint to the tune of 44-24. The game was diminished by 53 fouls and 40 turnovers (24 by FC). Bloomfield slips from second to fourth place with the setback, while Felician is clinging to postseason life.
MERRIMACK 78 BENTLEY 61
There were four games in the Northeast-10, where the superior Northeast Division continues to provide high drama in its race to the playoffs. In North Andover, Troy Hammel collected 22 points (5-8 from deep), including 15 of his team’s last 19 in leading Merrimack to a crucial victory over Bentley to remain alive in its postseason pursuit. JT Strickland added 16 points and eight assists, including two free throws and a lay-up to set in motion a key 12-0 surge that expanded a 49-44 lead to 61-44 at the midway mark of the second half. The margin maxed out at 20 (71-51) on a Hammel lay-up with 7:07 to go and the Falcons – who were uncharacteristically plagued by 19 turnovers – were unable to come any closer than 14 points down the stretch. Gelvis Solano posted 15 points and Kyle Howes 14 (3-5 from 3), including a big triple at the halftime horn, as the seventh-place Warriors moved within a game and a half of Bentley for the fifth and final playoff slot. Tyler McFarland (26 points on 9-of-13 shooting) and Keegan Hyland (16 points, eight rebounds) did the heavy lifting for the Falcons, whose other 10 players combined for just 19 points on 7-of-29 shooting. Merrimack was the more accurate shooting club overall (48%-39%) and from distance (11-21 to 6-26), outscoring its guests 20-8 off of miscues and supplying for all 11 fast-break points to help offset a 41-32 rebounding disparity.
SOUTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE 75 FRANKLIN PIERCE 68
Elijah Bonsignore led a balanced attack with 18 points and 10 rebounds as division-leading Southern New Hampshire outlasted Granite State foe Franklin Pierce at the SNHU Fieldhouse for its eighth win in nine outings. Devin Gilligan logged 17 points and six boards off the bench for the Penmen, including a huge 3-pointer with 35 seconds on the clock that provided some breathing room at 73-68 as the hosts closed out the contest with a 10-2 spurt, answering a 12-3 Pierce push that put them temporarily in front, 66-65 after a 3-ball by Jacob Jacquo (11 points off the bench, 3-3 from beyond the arc) at the eight-minute mark. Rodney Sanders (10 of his 12 points prior to halftime) and B.J. Cardarelli (11) offered solid support for SNHU, which was slightly outshot (47%-44%) but fared better at the foul line (16-21 to 6-7) and claimed 13 of the game’s 17 mistake points to help turn the tide in its favor. Paul Becklens topped the Ravens’ score sheet with 18 points and nine assists, as he was flanked by Ryen Vilmont (14 points, six rebounds, three blocks) and Mike McDevitt (13 points, nine caroms) in remaining a half-game behind Bentley for the last playoff spot. Both teams shot it well from long range (SNHU 11-20, FPU 10-21).
NEW HAVEN 57 Le MOYNE 56
Tommy Hunt’s left-wing 3-pointer with 6.9 seconds to play proved the difference-maker as New Haven rallied to nip former NECC rival Le Moyne at Charger Gym, tying their guests for third place in the Southwest. The Chargers trailed 30-15 late in the first half before embarking on a 22-3 run spanning the halves, forging a 37-33 lead after a lay-up by Jemal Mosley (16 points) with 14:38 left. The Dolphins – who were fronted by Qwadere Lovell’s 22 points – countered with a 15-4 spell to reclaim a 48-41 lead with 8:44 remaining, and still led 54-50 with just over two minutes on the clock before New Haven finished strong, taking a 57-55 lead on the bomb by Hunt (eight points). Lovell was fouled bringing the ball upcourt with 2.7 seconds to go but missed the second free throw to tie, sealing the Phins’ fate. Samir McDaniels (11 points, seven rebounds) and Levy Gillespie (11 points in a reserve role, 3-6 from downtown West Haven) played well in supporting roles for the Chargers, who won despite being outshot from the floor (49%-39%). Ryan Romich mustered 10 points for Le Moyne.
AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL 78 ADELPHI 64
Cameron Dobbs erupted for 29 points, banged seven 3-pointers and handed out four assists, carrying American International past Adelphi in Garden City to move within a half-game of idle Southern Connecticut atop the Northeast Division standings. The game was close most of the way, deadlocked at 43-43 inside of the final 14 minutes before an 18-4 tear, bookended by Dobbs threes, put the Yellow Jackets in front for good, 61-47, with 8:51 to play. The lead never dipped below double digits thereafter and peaked at 71-53 as the Panthers extended their record losing streak to 13 games and became the first regional team eliminated for playoff contention. Trahmier Burrell (12 points on 6-of-6 shooting), Bobby Harris (11) and Marcus Porter (10 points, six assists) rounded out AIC’s double-digit scorers, while Duane Morgan (18 points, 12 rebounds), Anthony Libroia (14 points) and Justin Jenkins (12) made impacts for Adelphi. The Jackets shot 53% overall, made a better showing at the stripe (10-14 to 9-18) and punished ther hosts off turnovers, 30-14. The Panthers won the glass battle, 37-27.
BRIDGEPORT 74 GOLDEY-BEACOM 56
There was one crossover contest on Tuesday as Bridgeport downed Goldey-Beacom at the Joseph West Jones Center in a snow make-up game. Ernest Rouse led the charge for the Purple Knights with 23 points (6-11 from deep) and six rebounds, drilling a triple with 14:21 remaining to open up the widest gap of the night at 49-28. The Lightning – who trailed the entire night – never came closer than 12 the balance of the ballgame despite 14 points and eight rebounds from Chris Gebhart and 12 points in a reserve role from Kyle Steinbergin. Eddie Asamoah compiled 15 points, eight rebounds and four assists for Bridgeport, which also placed Willie Williams III (13 points) and Devon Elliott (11 points, nine boards, four assists) in twin figures. The P-Knights were the superior shooters (49%-39%), including from afar (10-20 to 8-23) while making more noise at the foul line (14-19 to 4-6).
POLL POSITION
The new regional and national polls have been released, and University of the Sciences is the only East team ranked in the Top 25, coming in at #25 in the NABC Coaches’ Poll and #21 in the D2SIDA Media poll. Southern Connecticut is receiving votes in both, while American International is also listed in the media poll. Florida Southern is the number one team in both. Here are the latest media regional rankings, with last week's ranking in parentheses (the official ones will be released a week from today):
1. USciences (2)
2. Southern Connecticut (3)
3. American International (1)
4. Southern New Hampshire (T4)
5. Holy Family (8)
6. St. Michael’s (9)
7. St. Anselm (T4)
8. Bridgeport (7)
9. St. Thomas Aquinas (NR)
T10. Stonehill (6)
T10. Daemen (T10)