Nineteen games took place in the region on St. Valentine’s Day, and somewhat surprisingly, there were virtually no surprising results. Let’s commence the big rundown with the most dramatic finish of the afternoon:
BRIDGEPORT 63 DAEMEN 60
Ernest Rouse’s left-corner 3-pointer off a deflected pass found the bottom of the net with 0.4 seconds on the clock, breaking a 60-60 deadlock and providing Bridgeport with a dazzling victory over Daemen at Hubbell Gym to remain tied for first place in the East Coast Conference. The junior guard had struggled from the floor with just six points on 2-of-12 shooting prior to the winning bucket as the Purple Knights won their first game in four lifetime meetings, avenging a tough overtime setback in Buffalo last month. A 21-5 first-half run erased an 18-6 deficit early on as the Knights edged in front 27-23. The lead grew to 38-29 on a jumper by Devon Elliott (18 points) shortly after intermission before things tightened up again. The Wildcats – who were paced by Jordan Greene’s 19 points (5-10 from 3-point range) and four assists – were staring at a 60-55 deficit with less than a minute to play when Gerald Beverly (14 points, nine rebounds, three blocked shots) converted a lay-up and Kyle Clifford (12 points) nailed a tying triple off a turnover to draw even with 25 seconds remaining. Without calling a timeout, the hosts played for the final shot, which turned into the second heavily-defended, buzzer-beating, game-winning three Daemen has allowed in three weeks (NYIT’s Darian Hooker canned the other), which has kept them in third place. Willie Williams III chipped in with a dozen points for Bridgeport, which won the game despite never attempting a foul shot (DC was 6-6 as there were only 19 fouls whistled all day). A 17-3 advantage in turnover points was the only statistic that wasn’t close, benefitting the P-Knights.
ST. THOMAS AQUINAS 68 LIU POST 64
Like Bridgeport, ECC co-leader St. Thomas Aquinas clinched a playoff berth with a gritty home win, outlasting LIU Post for its ninth triumph in 10 games. An 11-4 spurt over the last 4:45 wiped out a 60-57 deficit as Chaz Watler (16 points, four steals) hit the tying free throw at 4:20 and Jules de Courtenay (13 points, eight rebounds) followed with consecutive lay-ups to give the Spartans the lead for keeps. Still, the outcome wasn't a certainty until a couple of Shaq McFarlan freebies with six ticks left provided the iron-clad, four-point margin. With his 10 points – including a banker from inside half-court to beat the halftime horn – McFarlan was one of five STAC players who finished in double figures, a group that included Justin Reyes (12 points, seven boards off the bench) and James Mitchell, who managed a perfect 10 points in 10 bench minutes, hitting two 3-pointers and four free throws without a miss. Greg Dotson (nine rebounds) and Tyuan Williams (eight off the pine) each deposited 15 points for the Pioneers, who slip into seventh place (the final playoff slot as transitioning Daemen is ineligible this season) with the setback. Dillon Burns pitched in with 14 points (5-5 FG including three treys) for Post, which lost despite outshooting (46%-37%), outrebounding (38-35) and out-assisting (13-7) its hosts. Aquinas made up for those discrepancies at the foul line, sinking 27-of-35 as compared to the Pioneers’ woeful 7-of-18 showing.
USCIENCES 69 DOMINICAN 53
The two division-leading teams in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference squared off in Orangeburg, with the South’s University of the Sciences besting the North’s Dominican to become the region’s first team to 20 wins. The game also pitted the top two scorers in the league as reigning Co-Players of the Week Garret Kerr and Nick Smith put on a show with double-doubles while the visitors’ 18-0 second-half run ultimately decided the affair. The Chargers constructed a 37-30 advantage at the half after a buzzer-beating 3-pointer from Kristopher Hargraves (11 points). The lead was 45-42 when the Devils unleashed their onslaught, sparked by back-to-back Kerr lay-ups, as the hosts went 6:51 without a point. By the time the dust had settled, USciences had taken control at 60-45 with 7:16 to go, and Dominican was powerless to answer, eventually falling behind by as much as 67-49 following a basket by Sho Da-Silva (12 points off the bench) at the 2:55 mark. As usual, Kerr led the charge with 30 points (11-18 FG, 3-3 from deep), 11 rebounds, four assists and career high-tying five steals. Backup rookie big man Will Gregorits added 11 points for the Devils, who were outshot from the floor (49%-44%) but fared better in most of the other key categories, including long-range firepower (7-16 to 2-10), foul shooting (6-8 to 1-6), rebounding (37-27) and points off turnovers (24-14). Smith rang up 25 points on 12-of-16 shooting while adding 10 rebounds and three blocks for the Chargers, who saw their six-game win streak fall by the wayside. They still lead the division by a game and a half, however. The Devils have now won 10 straight, and 20 in 24 games on the campaign, reaching that milestone for the first time under Dave Pauley and first time since joining the NCAA ranks (the program was 24-8 under famed coach Bobby Morgan during the 1998-99 NAIA season).
SOUTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE 58 STONEHILL 41
Things couldn’t have gone any better for the top team in the Northeast-10’s Northeast Division. Rodney Sanders notched 19 points (7-10 FG, 3-4 from long distance) and five assists, while Elijah Bonsignore contributed 14 points and six rebounds as Southern New Hampshire suffocated Stonehill in North Easton for its ninth win in 10 games and virtual hammerlock on the division as its top three pursuers all lost. The Penmen trailed just once at the outset (2-0) before jetting out to leads of 22-6 and 30-11 before taking a 32-17 bulge into the locker room at the break. The Skyhawks – who remain tied for third – came as close as 40-33 with seven-and-a-half minutes on the clock before SNHU closed out the contest with an 18-8 flourish, outshooting its hosts overall (43%-27%), from 3-point land (8-18 to 5-29) and at the line (12-17 to 4-7), helping offset a 38-34 rebounding disparity. No Stonehill player was able to reach double figures as Ryan Logan offered nine points on just 3-of-14 shooting (0-5 from 3). The Skyhawks’ 41 points represent their lowest total since a 56-37 loss to American International on February 25, 2003. The Penmen’s next win or St. Anselm loss will secure the division title.
BENTLEY 77 ST. MICHAEL’S 76
The six-team race immediately behind SNHU is tightening up as the half-dozen contenders are all within three games of each other in the loss column, with only four of the clubs guaranteed of postseason spots. At the Dana Center, the last team above the cutoff line at the moment – fifth-place Bentley – held off St. Michael’s by the skin of its collective teeth, locking up its 19th winning record over the last 20 years in the process. A 13-0 second-half surge turned the tide for the Falcons, who flipped a 71-61 deficit inside of seven minutes into a 74-71 upper hand with 3:14 to play. Keegan Hyland triggered the outburst with a 3-pointer and jump shot as part of a game-high 19-point, eight-rebound effort. The senior guard’s 3-ball with 1:49 left stretched the lead to 77-73, but Michael Holton, Jr. followed suit 15 seconds later to make it a one-point game. Turns out that would be the final scoring play of the game as the Purple Knights missed two jumpers (by Holton and Corey Crawford, respectively) in their final possession, sandwiching a jump ball in their favor with 4.8 seconds remaining. Alex Furness totaled 18 points (5-7 from downtown Waltham) and seven assists for the winners, who also received solid outings from Tyler McFarland (16 points, six rebounds) and Ferguson Duke (12 points off the bench, 3-5 from 3, including the go-ahead triple). Holton was high man for St. Mike’s with 16 points, and he was followed in double digits by Dom Ditlefsen (14 points, four assists, four steals), Matt Bonds (13 points, 5-7 FG, six boards in a reserve role) and James Cambronne (11 points). Both teams shot it well (BU 50%, SMC 47%) but Bentley was much more formidable from long range (17-36 to 11-26) as the team didn’t shoot from inside the arc until the 11:29 mark of the opening period (they were 7-for-11 from 3 exclusively to that point) and only a third of their attempts on the afternoon were for two points. The 17 threes are the most for the program in a decade and seven of the eight Falcons who saw action knocked down at least one bomb. The Purple Knights were better on the boards (33-29) and in the paint (26-10) but it just wasn’t enough to get them over the hump as they remain tied for third with Stonehill.
FRANKLIN PIERCE 74 ST. ANSELM 62
Franklin Pierce is still nipping on Bentley’s heels for the last playoff berth in the Northeast, a game off the pace after stifling fellow New Hampshire foe St. Anselm for the fifth straight year in Rindge. Regional assist leader Paul Becklens was an offensive juggernaut in this one with a career-high 30 points (13-15 FT) and eight helpers, while Tyler Iacuone dispensed 13 points (3-5 from long range), six rebounds and four steals for the Ravens, who assembled a 41-28 lead at the half thanks to a left-wing 3-pointer at the buzzer by Aboubacar Casse (11 points off the bench, 3-5 from 3). When play resumed, the Hawks took flight with a 21-6 burst, grabbing a 47-46 lead after two Victor Joshua foul shots. The game remained nip-and-tuck, with the hosts ahead 57-55 inside of eight minutes when Ryen Vilmont (11 points, seven rebounds) nailed his only trey of the day to commence a 16-2 run that expanded the gap to 73-57 with 4:22 to go. Pierce then put away its guests by converting 11 of 12 at the stripe over the last 3:48 (both teams were sensational at the line – FPU 20-22, SAC 19-22). Chris Santo continued his unconscious play of late with 34 points (13-19 FG, 8-9 FT) and nine rebounds for St. A’s, while Joshua recorded 16 points and four assists in a losing cause. Long-range shooting – a St. Anselm staple - abandoned the Hawks as they made just one trifecta in 17 tries and the Ravens were 10-of-24, scoring twice as often on turnovers (22-11) and handing out three times as many assists (15-5) to boot. Second-place St. Anselm won the glass (38-32) and was stronger in the paint (48-32).
NYIT 86 MERCY 82 (2 OT)
The longest, most hotly-contested battle of the weekend occurred in Dobbs Ferry as New York Institute of Technology outlasted Mercy in double overtime for its sixth win in seven tries, good for a fourth-place tie in the ECC hierarchy. Division 2 scoring leader Darian Hooker struggled from the field (7-25) but still made the greatest impact in crunch time, drilling the tying three with 30 seconds to play in the first OT and sinking four straight at the foul line midway through the second extra session to give the Bears the lead for keeps… all part of a 31-point, four assist, three-steal outing as the sensational senior played 49 of the 50 minutes. NYIT won the first half 40-30 and the Mavericks the second 40-30, rallying from 16 down (48-32) to forge ties at 60, 62, 64, 68 and 70 as there was no shot to win at the end of regulation. Hooker misfired on a potential winning three at the end of the first overtime, but came alive at the line in the final stanza with the go-ahead tosses (he was 15-16 for the game). Freshman center Jon Feiler actually played the best for the Bears, amassing 24 points (8-11 FG, 8-8 FT) and personal-best 21 rebounds as he knocked down the clinching free throws with four seconds on the clock. Lazaro Martinez – who gave the Mavs their last lead at 80-79 – produced a career-high 33 points on 13-of-23 shooting for Mercy, which also received 19 points off the pine from Najee Senior and 17 from Jason Quijada in falling for a fifth straight time. Shooting and rebounding were virtual washes, with NYIT much better from behind the 3-point line (8-19 to 2-12) and at the free-throw line (30-36 to 14-24) and the Mavericks stronger in the paint (48-20) and in mistake points (28-12) as they committed nearly half as many turnovers (10-19).
MOLLOY 86 DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 80
NYIT remains tied for the third playoff slot with Long Island rival Molloy, which held off District of Columbia in Washington. Brandon Williams led a balanced effort with 19 points (11-11 FT) and four assists for the Lions, who led most of the way, including a 70-56 advantage with nine-and-a-half minutes to play when the Firebirds touched off a 10-2 spurt, closing within 72-66 after an Eric Senegal 3-pointer with 6:03 left. They would get no closer, however, as the lead barely budged the rest of the way, bouncing between six and nine. Charles Marquardt registered 18 points in a reserve outing for Molloy, which also landed Jaylen Morris (16 points, seven rebounds) and Matt McLeod (13, 8) in double figures. Senegal topped the UDC scorecard with 20 points off the bench (6-8 from 3) to lead five in twin digits; the others being: Quasim Jones (13 points, 9-10 FG, nine assists), Reggie Sidbury (11), Omar Abbas (11 off the pine) and Michael Terry (10). The Firebirds made more noise from 3-point territory (16-31 to 6-17) while the Lions did more damage inside (40-20), on the glass (42-30) on second chances (18-7) and at the stripe (20-22 to 11-18).
DOWLING 71 ROBERTS WESLEYAN 67
It’s not how you start but how you finish. Sixth-place Dowling proved that point in Oakdale, trailing the vast majority of its game vs. Roberts Wesleyan before closing out the contest with a 14-3 spree over the final 3:06, erasing a 74-67 deficit to prevail. The Golden Lions actually trailed by as much as 63-49 with 8:35 remaining but eventually took a 77-76 lead on a put-back by Michael Guzzardi (15 points, eight rebounds off the bench) with 41 seconds on the clock. Thirty seconds later, the sophomore center blocked Isaac Medeiros’ potential go-ahead shot (his fourth rejection) and Ryan Hickey nailed down the victory with four consecutive foul shots in the last 11 seconds, bringing his total to 17 points and putting a happy ending to a miserable shooting day (5-21 FG, 1-8 from deep, 6-12 FT). Tristan Brown (15 points) and MiKing Richardson (13 off the bench, 5-6 FG, 2-2 from 3) made strong impacts for Dowling, which won despite getting destroyed on the backboards (61-40) and making just 17 of 31 free throws. Turnovers played a big role in the outcome as the Redhawks coughed it up 19 times (seven in the last 6:21) to just seven for the home team. Medeiros came up big for Roberts with 29 points (11-18 FG) and 12 boards, while Kevin Madiamba (14 points, 6-9 FG, nine rebounds) and Tyrel Dixon (9, 15) also made their presences felt in a losing effort. The two teams were frigid from distance, combining to go 7-for-35. The Redhawks are now two games out of the playoff picture with five to play.
PHILADELPHIA 68 NYACK 58
An 18-6 second-half spell was enough to carry Philadelphia past Nyack at Bowman Gym for its fourth straight triumph, holding steady in second place, a game behind the CACC South leaders. All five Rams reached double digits in the scoring column and accounted for 197 of the 200 minutes, led by Nick Schlitzer’s 19-point, nine-rebound output. The senior sharpshooter tallied the last six points of the big run that erased a 47-43 deficit with 13:10 to go and afforded the visitors a 61-53 advantage at the 2:47 mark. The Warriors – who led by as much as 31-18 late in the first half – crept within 63-58 on a Chris Hampton 3-ball with 1:19 on the clock but that’s where their offense would dry up as Philly U. closed out the game by making five of eight foul shots, officially eliminating its hosts from playoff consideration. Andre Gibbs dropped 18 points for the Rams, who also received strong all-around games from T.J. Huggins (11 points, 4-5 FG, seven rebounds), Derek Johnson (10, 10) and Peter Alexis (10, 7), who rejected a career-high nine shots. Hampton led the way for Nyack with 18 points while being flanked by Nick Moore (16 points, 12 caroms) and Will Robinson (14, 7 in reserve duty). Philadelphia was the more accurate shooting team (45%-36%) but the story in this one was fouls (NC 21, PU 8) as the Rams attempted four times as many tosses (PU 19-28, NC 6-7). The two teams exhibited a frosty touch from the outside, combining to go 9-of-36, while accounting for just 14 total assists to 30 turnovers.
HOLY FAMILY 101 CONCORDIA 72
Ten of the 11 men who suited up reached the score column and Holy Family reached the century mark for the first time in over seven years in blasting Concordia at the Campus Center to remain in third place. Isaiah Gans exploded for a career-high 32 points (12-20 FG, 6-11 from deep) and Reggie Charles chalked up 29 points (8-12 FG, 10-11 FT) and seven assists for the Tigers, who rode a 28-6 wave in transforming a 17-10 deficit into a 38-23 lead after a Charles triple with 2:54 to play in the half. The Clippers – who were fueled by Peter Aguilar’s 20 points off the bench – were within 58-46 eight minutes into the final frame when the hosts embarked on a 22-6 jaunt, punctuated in a dunk “And-1” by Gans that made it an 80-52 runaway with 8:46 left, the lead eventually cresting at 98-67 before all was said and done. Jalen Heath posted 19 points (5-10 from beyond the arc) and 10 rebounds for Concordia, which also received 10 points apiece from Tshyrad Oates (nine rebounds) and Jamie Holder in slipping to a fourth-place tie with Caldwell for the final playoff spot in the North. Holy Family shot much better overall (52%-38%) and scored more than twice as often at the line (17-19 to 8-11) in the program’s best offensive showing since a 108-75 blowout at NYIT on February 2, 2008.
POST 73 CHESTNUT HILL 60
Across town, Matt Mareno paced five in double figures with 17 points and 12 rebounds as Post pulled away from Chestnut Hill in Philadelphia to punch its playoff ticket. It didn’t come easily for the Eagles, who trailed by as many as 10 in the first period and by a 36-30 count with 13-and-a-half remaining when a lay-up by Jah’Sheme Ringgold (16 points in a backup role) triggered a 19-5 upswing that put Post in front for good – 49-41 with 8:07 to go. The Griffins – who were bolstered by Christian Walck’s 18 points and five assists – narrowed their arrears to 51-49 after a pair of free throws from Ed McWade (11 points) at the 5:51 stage before a Mareno jumper set in motion a 13-4 spurt that put the game on ice at 64-54 with 1:43 on the clock. David Seymour (13 points off the bench), Joseph Lockwood (13 points, seven rebounds) and Nardie Bogues (10 points) all played well for the Eagles, who were beasts on the boards (42-26) and made hay at the stripe (20-25 to CHC’s 11-18). Demetrius Isaac chimed in with 10 points for the Griffs, who accounted for 15 of the game’s 19 second-chance points, though it wasn’t enough to halt a nine-game slide that has snuffed out the last flickering playoff hopes.
CALDWELL 79 GOLDEY-BEACOM 61
Michael Balkovic racked up 19 points (2-2 from long range) and 15 rebounds, while the backcourt tandem of Kevin Walker (six assists) and Dawan Lighty (3-4 from 3) each tossed in 15 points in leading Caldwell past Goldey-Beacom in Delaware to claim a share of the fourth and final playoff berth with Concordia in the North. The Cougars pounced early and led the entire way, using a 21-5 tear to open up a 37-18 lead, then engineering a 14-4 flurry during the final frame in extending a 46-34 lead to 60-38. Billy McDonald also reached double figures with 11 points for Caldwell, which led by as much as 74-49 thanks in part to 9-of-17 shooting from downtown Wilmington (GBC was 8-25), an 18-7 edge in second-chance scoring and a 44-27 mastery on the glass. Parris Ridgeway-Higgs garnered 13 points off the bench for the Lightning, which also placed Kyle Steinbergin in double figures with 11. Despite a four-game losing streak, Goldey is still within striking distance of crosstown rival Wilmington for the final playoff spot in the South.
BLOOMFIELD 96 GEORGIAN COURT 73
Claude Blue erupted for 28 points on near-perfect 11-of-12 shooting, leading five in double figures as second-place Bloomfield blasted downstate rival Georgian Court in North Jersey. The Bears rolled out to leads of 19-6 and 49-31 en route to a 51-35 halftime cushion, using the stellar efforts from Clarence White (16 points, 8-9 FG, seven assists), Nick Davidson (16 points off the bench), Marvin Williams (12) and Matt Hall, who hit for 15, including the 1,000th of his career. Keith Hughes spearheaded the Lions’ attack with 15 off the pine, though his club never got closer than 14 points the entirety of the second half, falling behind by as much as 91-66 as the spread was north of 20 over the last 11:41. Rookie guards Juwuan Carter and Michael Pierre each netted 11 for the visitors, while Jordan Wejnert added 10 in a reserve role. Bloomfield was the superior shooting club (53%-40%) while nailing 22 of 26 at the line (GCU was 13-23) and doling out 16 of the game’s 20 assists.
FELICIAN 78 WILMINGTON 76
Jeyvi Miavivilulu’s turnaround jumper from the right block with 2.8 seconds to play was the difference as Felician shaded Wilmington at Job Gym in an uber-competitive game that featured eight ties, 17 lead changes and nothing greater than a four-point separation over the final 15:18. A late 6-0 Golden Falcons spurt reversed a three-point deficit (73-70) into a three-point lead (76-73) with 20 ticks left, but Wildcats point guard Tyaire Ponzo-Meek (20 points) answered five seconds later with a hat trick at the line after getting fouled shooting a 3-pointer. That set up the winning shot from Miavivilulu, who compiled a career-high 25 points, 12 rebounds and three blocked shots in the bittersweet win as Felician was eliminated from playoff contention due to Caldwell’s victory. Damiun Moore collected 15 points (5-7 FG, 3-3 from downtown Rutherford) and five assists for the victors, who also received 10 points from Lamine Cooper and eight from J.R. Pringley, including the 1,000th of his career. Valentino Thompson cashed in 16 points and dished out five assists for the Cats, who also landed Kevin Ohen (11 points, six rebounds), Sam Sanders (10 off the bench) and Rashaun Rasheed (ditto) in double figures. Felician shot at a higher clip from distance (7-14 to 7-23) in recording back-to-back wins for the first time all season. Wilmington outscored its hosts 22-9 off of mistakes, almost enough to turn the tide in its favor.
SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT 104 ADELPHI 93
The dynamic backcourt combo of Tylon Smith (25 points, 10-12 FG, eight rebounds, seven assists) and Luke Houston (23 points, eight boards) carried the torch for Southern Connecticut, which ran past Adephi in New Haven for its sixth straight triumph, reclaiming sole possession of first place in the NE-10 Southwest over idle American International. Michael Mallory (21 points, four steals off the bench) and Desmond Williams (14 points, six helpers) also represented well for the Owls, who led comfortably the majority of the day, accumulating 66 first-half points and boasting an 88-67 lead after a Mallory lay-in at the 8:51 mark before the Panthers made a late push, outscoring their hosts 17-6 to close within 94-84 after a Duane Morgan lay-up with 3:23 remaining. Smith countered with two freebies 12 seconds later to ignite a game-clinching 8-0 run, consigning Adelphi to its program-record 14th straight loss. Morgan was brilliant in defeat, however, pouring in a career-best 37 points (13-22 FG, 3-4 from 3), including the 1,000th of his career, while reeling in nine rebounds. Justin Jenkins poured in 18 points and Damon Coleman 11 for the Panthers, with each going 3-for-5 from beyond the arc. Juniors Anthony Libroia (10 points, nine boards) and Ryan DeNicola (7, 15) also made their presences felt for the visitors, who won the glass, 50-44. Southern was dominant in all the other phases of the game, including shooting (50%-41%), points in the paint (56-30), blocked shots (11-0), fast-break scoring (20-4) and assist-turnover ratio (21/13 to 9/20), resulting in a 25-7 boon in mistake points.
NEW HAVEN 64 PACE 49
Just down the road in West Haven, Eric Anderson powered his way to a third 20-20 performance this season (no other player in D2 has more than one such game), churning out 20 points (8-12 FG) and 22 rebounds along with five assists as New Haven defeated Pace going away to claim sole possession of third place. Jemal Mosley was actually game-high scorer for the Chargers with 24 points (6-10 from afar) as he and Anderson combined for 46 of their team’s 64 points. A 12-0 run wiped out an 8-7 deficit and put the hosts in front to stay, 19-8. The Setters – who were fronted by Kyle Pearson’s 23 points (5-9 from 3) in 40 minutes – were within 48-41 inside of the last eight minutes before Anderson hit a free throw and Mosley followed with a trey to initiate a 13-4 rush, padding the lead to 61-45 with 2:54 to go. New Haven was the vastly superior shooting club (55%-33%), including from long distance (10-19 to 8-20), while also dominating in the paint (18-6) and on the backboards (35-20), claiming all of the game’s eight second-chance points. Both sides were on the plus side in the assist-turnover realm (UNH 18/10, PU 12/7) and Pace was better at the foul line (11-13 to 8-15) but it wasn’t enough to prevent a 10th straight defeat as the Setters become the region’s first 20-loss team.
SAINT ROSE 82 Le MOYNE 71
Jack Jones drove home 21 points (3-6 from downtown Albany) and Jalaun Taylor was perfect off the bench (6-6 FG, 4-4 FT) with 17 points as Saint Rose downed Upstate New York rival Le Moyne in the Capital District for its fourth straight victory, inching within a game of fourth place as a result. Chris Dorgler generated 14 points, six rebounds, career high-tying seven assists and four steals for the Golden Knights, who used a 12-1 run in widening a slim 36-35 lead early in the second half to 48-36 following a Jones 3-ball. The Dolphins hung around and were within 53-50 after a traditional 3-point play from Russell Sangster (12 points) with 11:09 on the clock but two Taylor tosses jump-started a 19-6 charge that opened up the largest spread of the game at 72-56 with 4:57 to play. The Fins – who landed five in double digits – came no closer than eight down the stretch as they were outshot from the field (59%-46%) and from 3-point range (8-15 to 5-16). Qwadere Lovell and reserve rookie Tanner Hyland each delivered 15 points for Le Moyne (the latter a personal best), which also received 11 points from both Ryan Romich (six boards) and Stan Buczek. Both teams were excellent at the foul line (CSR 14-18, LC 24-27).
MERRIMACK 78 ASSUMPTION 57
Gelvis Solano stuffed the stat sheet with 26 points, seven rebounds, seven assists, four steals and two blocks, while backcourt junior classmate JT Strickland pumped in 17 points, including 2-of-2 from downtown North Andover, as Merrimack kept pace in the playoff chase with a comfortable victory over Assumption at the Volpe Center. Back-to-back Strickland lay-ups early in the second half launched a 17-5 uprising as the Warriors broadened a 36-34 lead to 53-39 with 11:15 left. A 12-0 dash a few minutes later – capped by consecutive Solano 3-pointers – put the game out of reach at 73-51 with 5:21 remaining as the Warriors remained a game-and-a-half behind fifth-place Bentley with four to play. James Kennedy sported 11 points and nine rebounds for the winners, who did more damage from deep (13-31 to 4-13) and on the break (13-2). The “Z” team of Jimmy Zenevitch (11 points, six rebounds) and Karl Ziegler (10 points) topped the Greyhounds’ scorecard but the team’s fifth straight loss eliminated them from playoff contention.