The NE-10 and CACC regular seasons came to a close last night, with the playoff picture finalizing in both, while the ECC playoff participants were also determined. Let’s kick off the last big rundown of the season with some high drama in New England that left one team exhilarated and two others in utter anguish:
MERRIMACK 84 ST. MICHAEL’S 78
JT Strickland erupted for a career-high 33 points, draining seven 3-pointers in 10 attempts before halftime to lead Merrimack past St. Michael’s in Vermont, which – coupled with Franklin Pierce’s last-second win over Bentley (story below) – gave the team the fifth and final playoff spot in the Northeast-10’s formidable Northeast Division, ending a two-year postseason drought in the unlikeliest way. The Warriors – who dropped their first six conference games this year and needed lots of help in the season’s final days – punched their ticket on the strength of a season sweep of division champ Southern New Hampshire, the determining factor in breaking a three-way tie for fifth. Troy Hammel cashed in 20 of his 28 points (8-13 FG, 9-9 FT) in the second half for the winners, who reeled off the first 11 points and never trailed, opening up as much as a 69-54 lead on a 3-pointer from Gelvis Solano (12 points, eight rebounds, five assists, four steals) with 4:33 to play. The Purple Knights – who have dropped four out of five at a highly inconvenient time – came within six points on three occasions in the waning seconds but could never get over the hump in settling for fourth place and a first-round home playoff vs. Saint Rose on Friday. Michael Holton, Jr. chalked up all 19 of his points in the second half for St. Mike’s, which also landed Corey Crawford II (15 points, four assists), Matt Bonds (13 points, 10 rebounds off the bench) and Dom Ditlefsen (11 points) in double figures. Merrimack – which will open the postseason Friday at New Haven – flexed its muscle in the paint (26-12). Both teams fired up more threes than twos (MC 31-25, SC 37-25).
FRANKLIN PIERCE 85 BENTLEY 84
Tyler Iacuone’s right-wing trey with 0.6 left capped a 9-0 game-ending run and afforded Franklin Pierce its only lead of the second half, eliminating Bentley from the playoff chase in Rindge. Only moments earlier (perhaps not to the team’s knowledge), the Ravens themselves had been eliminated by virtue of Merrimack’s win, though it hardly detracted from the thrilling comeback at the time. Ryen Vilmont closed out his stellar career with 25 points (9-14 FG, 4-8 from deep) and Donte Gittens filled the stat sheet with 20 points, six rebounds, five assists and four blocked shots, dominating during crunch time after the Falcons had scored their final points on a Keegan Hyland lay-up with 4:45 remaining, giving his team a seemingly comfortable 84-76 advantage. Gittens then came alive with a foul shot, lay-up, block, two steals, another lay-up, a defensive rebound and an assist on the winning hoop, consigning Bentley to a fifth defeat in its last six games (the last two by a single point each). Iacuone finished with 17 points for Pierce, which also received a strong all-around game from Paul Becklens (11 points, eight boards, nine assists in his collegiate finale). JP Koury topped the Falcons’ scorecard with 20 points (9-14 FG), while Hyland compiled 19 points (3-5 from 3) and career-high 14 rebounds. Tyler McFarland (seven rebounds) and Shaq Phelps each dropped a dozen in support. Both teams shot it well (FPU 53%, BU 52%) with Bentley owning the glass (39-22) and the Ravens taking much better care of the basketball, committing only three turnovers while the Falcons coughed it up 14 times, half of those coming in their final 12 possessions as the hosts acconted for 16 of the game’s 18 mistake points.
STONEHILL 74 ST. ANSELM 70
Across the Granite State in Manchester, Adam Bramanti knocked out a career-high 20 points and buried all five of his 3-point attempts to help Stonehill stun second-place St. Anselm, avenging a December defeat and locking up a third-place bye. The Skyhawks never trailed, bolting out to leads of 13-0 and 26-10 before the Hawks caught them at 30-30. The game remained relatively close the rest of the way with deadlocks at 44 and 56 before a Ryan Logan lay-up at the 8:58 mark put the visitors ahead to stay. St. A’s was within 73-70 thanks to a traditional 3-point play from Victor Joshua (13 points, six rebounds) with 23 seconds on the clock. Then, after a missed front end by Stonehill, the junior guard misfired on a potential tying triple and Pierce Cumpstone (six points off the bench) sank the clinching free throw with four seconds to go. Logan logged 18 points and Carter Smith 15 (including a big three) for the Skyhawks, who were more efficient from beyond the arc (12-24 as compared to 8-27 for SAC). Roy Mabrey led the charge for the Hawks with 23 points (6-12 from long distance), while newly-dubbed NE-10 Player of the Year Chris Santo double-doubled with 12 points and 13 boards in a losing effort as his team shot a frosty 34% from the field. An 18-8 edge in foul shots helped keep the game close. St. Anselm will host Le Moyne in Sunday’s quarterfinals while Stonehill will travel to American International.
AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL 95 SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT 87
For the second time in as many meetings this season, American International outraced Southern Connecticut, snapping the #23 Owls’ nine-game win streak with a huge victory at Butova Gym as five players scored in double digits. Bobby Harris once again flirted with a triple-double, generating 22 points (3-5 from long range), nine rebounds and nine assists as the Yellow Jackets constructed a 50-36 halftime lead, punctuated by a buzzer-beating lay-up from D.J. Gutridge (all 10 of his points coming in the final five minutes of the half, plus four assists). Southern battled back and eventually edged in front, 76-75, on a pair of Michael Mallory foul shots with 4:39 to play. That would represent the first of four lead changes down the stretch. A lay-up by Tylon Smith (19 points) broke an 81-81 tie, but that would be Southern’s final lead as the Jackets scored eight of the next 10 points, topped off by Cameron Dobbs’ 3-ball with 1:33 left that made it 89-85. Two freebies by Desmond Williams (14 points, eight caroms) with 34 seconds remaining halved the deficit, but AIC hung the final six points on the scoreboard, with Nolan Woodward’s dunk serving as the exclamation point. Al-Shabazz Jabateh (7-11 FG, 3-6 from 3) and Marcus Porter (7-12 FG) each offered 17 points for the winners, who also benefited from Dobbs (13) and Woodward (nine off the bench). Mallory was high man for the Owls with 25 (9-10 FT) in a reserve role, while Luke Houston chimed in with 16. Both teams shot a mirror-image 30-of-69 from the field (44%) but the Yellow Jackets made more noise from downtown Springfield (11-26 to 4-20) while also gathering more rebounds (48-38) and assists (18-8). Southern stayed in touch thanks to a 19-6 advantage in turnover points. The physical game was marred by 51 fouls and 66 free-throw attempts. Second-place AIC will host Stonehill in Sunday’s quarterfinals while Southwest Division champion Southern Connecticut awaits the St. Michael’s-Saint Rose winner.
Le MOYNE 73 PACE 61
Connor Mahoney led five in twin figures with 16 points (4-7 from long range) as Le Moyne won a wire-to-wire encounter with Empire State rival Pace in Syracuse to secure a first-round bye and quarterfinal clash at St. Anselm. Frosh guards Russell Sangster (5-6 FG) and Tanner Hyland (3-6 from afar) each registered 13 points for the Dolphins, who built a 33-19 halftime lead and expanded it to 65-46 on a jumper from Qwadere Lovell (10 points, six assists) with 2:53 to play before the Setters’ starters pressed the Le Moyne reserves in the waning moments, setting off a 15-4 flurry to close within 69-61 after a Shelton Mickell trifecta with 28 ticks to go. The game was never in jeopardy, however, as the Phins closed out the scoring with four free throws in handing Pace its 13th consecutive setback and program-record 23rd loss. Mickell played very well in a losing cause, notching 25 points, while Kyle Pearson pitched in with 16 points and eight rebounds. Le Moyne shot it better overall (46%-37%) and from distance (7-17 to 5-29) while also benefitting from a rare “own goal” basket that was credited to the team.
NEW HAVEN 62 ADELPHI 61
Three-time NE-10 Defensive Player of the Year Eric Anderson amassed a career-high 35 points (17-26 FG), 17 rebounds and four blocks, bolstering New Haven’s come-from-behind win over Adelphi at Charger Gym as the hosts earned a home playoff game vs. Merrimack on Friday. The Panthers pounced early, darting out to a 27-9 lead following a dunk by Duane Morgan (22 points, six boards). The Chargers – who also received 11 points and five assists from Jemal Mosley, as well as 10 points from reserve rookie guard Levy Gillespie – clawed back within 37-31 at the break, then opened the final frame with a 16-7 charge to move in front, 47-44. Adelphi countered with a 10-2 spurt, capped by a Morgan lay-in, to reclaim a 54-49 advantage at the 8:19 mark. New Haven then rattled off the next 11 points, culminating in an Anderson lay-up with 2:41 on the clock, to go back on top for good at 60-54. Still, the Panthers made things interesting, scoring seven of the next nine to sidle within 62-61 after a lay-up by Michael Coffey (five points off the pine) with 1:17 showing. That would be the final scoring play, however, as both teams clanged front ends of one-and-ones and Morgan missed a potential winning lay-up with four seconds left, representing his team’s final opportunity. Ryan DeNicola sported a career-high 18 points or Adelphi on perfect shooting (7-7 FG, 4-4 from downtown West Haven). The stats were very close, with the visitors making twice as many threes (8-21 to 4-20).
SOUTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE 79 ASSUMPTION 67
Rodney Sanders provided 19 points (7-10 FG) to lead Northeast Division winner Southern New Hampshire past Assumption in Worcester for its sixth straight triumph and 13th in its last 14 games. The Penmen raced out to a 12-0 lead on 3-pointers from four different players and never looked back, opening up a 40-20 chasm en route to a 50-35 halftime cushion. The Greyhounds – who lost their last eight games – closed within four points on three occasions down the stretch, the last time at 65-61 following two Kamali Bey foul shots with 3:52 remaining. SNHU then slammed the door with a 14-6, game-closing flourish, swishing 10 of 12 free throws to secure its first 20-win campaign in 10 years and 15th during the terrific 30-year career of newly-named NE-10 Coach of the Year Stan Spirou. B.J. Cardarelli and Devin Gilligan (9-10 FT) each netted 12 points for the winners, who also placed Aleksandar Dobrovic in double digits with 10 points and four assists. Bey was top dog for the Greyhounds with 16 points in a reserve role. He was flanked by Terrance Bobb-Jones (15 points, nine rebounds, six assists), Jimmy Zenevitch (12 points and eight rebounds in his final game) and Karl Ziegler (10, 7). The Penmen – who will host the Merrimack-New Haven winner on Sunday – were the superior shooting team (48%-40%), especially from distance (13-28 to 3-7) as they only attempted 20 shots inside the arc all night. Assumption stayed close thanks to a 41-30 rebound edge and 38-10 supremacy in the paint.
CALDWELL 81 BLOOMFIELD 72
The game of the night in the Central Atlantic saw surging Caldwell hold off local rival Bloomfield at the Newman Center for its fourth straight triumph and third place finish in the North Division. Michael Balkovic came alive with 17 of his 21 points (8-10 FG) in the second half while also snagging 11 rebounds as the Cougars never trailed in the game, riding a 21-5 wave late in the first half in stretching a 22-21 lead to 43-26. A Balkovic bucket less than seven minutes into the second stanza boosted the divide to 60-37, and it was still 71-56 inside the six-minute mark when the Bears made a final push, using a Nick Davidson lay-up to trigger a 15-4 tear that brought them to within 75-71 at the 1:32 juncture. That’s as close as they would get, though, as Billy McDonald (19 points on 7-of-8 shooting) sank two at the stripe and Balkovic slammed one through the hoop to end the suspense. Dawan Lighty garnered 12 of his 14 points after intermission for Caldwell, which shot at a higher clip (55%-41%) and dished out twice as many assists (16-8). Claude Blue was superb in defeat for Bloomfield, collecting 25 points (12-18 FG) and 11 rebounds, while Marvin Williams (17 points, six caroms), Davidson (11 points, nine rebounds off the bench) and Matt Hall (11 points) also made their presences felt. The Bears – who finish in fourth place and play at top-seeded University of the Sciences in Saturday’s playoff opener – were beasts on the backboards (44-31), including 17-4 on the offensive end, resulting in a 20-8 edge in second-chance scoring. Caldwell will travel to Holy Family on Saturday.
DOMINICAN 83 NYACK 81 (OT)
The latest chapter in the region’s liveliest rivalry went overtime as CACC North champ Dominican shaded Nyack at a raucous Bowman Gym to clinch a winning record on the season. After leading 40-29 in the opening period, the Chargers were staring at a 78-74 deficit with just over a minute left in regulation before they equalized on a Nick Smith lay-up with five seconds remaining. After a missed three to win by Chris Hampton, Dominican took “charge” in the extra session, never trailing despite not scoring a field goal. Five foul shots in six attempts – including the go-ahead pair by Glenn Scalia (seven points off the bench) with 2:17 to go – did the trick as Hampton once again came up short on a buzzer-beating jumper that would have prolonged the contest. Robert Hueston successfully returned to the starting lineup with a 23-point (10-16 FG) outing for the victors, who also received 19 (6-7 FG) from Smith, the reigning CACC Player of the Week. The senior trio of Nick Moore (22 points, 10-17 FG, 10 rebounds, three blocked shots), Khalid Sameuls (18 points) and Hampton (17) all made good showings in their final collegiate contest but the Warriors couldn’t overcome a huge shooting disparity (62%-44%), even with a 29-20 turnover edge, falling for the fourth straight time. John Decker (11 points, six rebounds) and Gerrel Irvin (10, 7 in a reserve role) assisted the Chargers, who will host Wilmington in Saturday’s quarterfinal round.
USCIENCES 72 GEORGIAN COURT 59
The top three teams in the South Division all defeated lesser divisional opponents by double figures. In Lakewood, top-seeded University of the Sciences outlasted Georgian Court, matching a program record with its 13th consecutive conquest and handing head coach Dave Pauley his 200th career victory in the process. It didn’t come easily, however, as the Lions led for most of the first half, and were still on top 42-41 after a Jordan Wejnert jumper with 13:43 to go. Sho Da-Silva converted a pair of free throws 22 seconds later to ignite a game-shaping 23-7 spell that put the Devils in the driver’s seat at 63-49 with 6:11 on the clock. The gap never dipped into single digits thereafter as USciences – playing on back-to-back nights due to snow-related rescheduling – won its 23rd game for the first time in the NCAA era (they were 25-4 in 1997-98 as Philadelphia Pharmacy of the NAIA). Garret Kerr powered the visitors with 22 points, 12 rebounds and five assists, with Da-Silva pouring in 22 points (8-11 FG) and snatching seven boards in a reserve role. Keith Hughes produced 17 points (6-9 FG) and seven rebounds for Georgian Court, which also saw Wejnert close out his career with a dozen points. The Lions – who improved from two to five wins in its second year – made twice as many 3-pointers (4-10 to 2-15) but was out-assisted, 15-6, in dropping its fifth straight. Sciences will host Bloomfield in Saturday’s quarterfinals.
HOLY FAMILY 89 CHESTNUT HILL 70
Isaiah Gans totaled 22 points (3-6 from deep), six rebounds and three blocks, while Eric Flemming (18 points on 6-of-8 long-range shooting) and Reggie Charles (10 points, nine assists) also made impacts for Holy Family, which blasted crosstown rival Chestnut Hill at Sorgenti Arena to secure second place and a first-round home playoff game vs. Caldwell. A 13-0 dash – highlighted by back-to-back Gans treys – wiped out the Tigers’ only deficit (5-4) and gave them a 17-5 upper hand. The lead mushroomed to 40-16 on a Gans lay-up before the Griffins closed out the half with a 13-2 flourish, slashing its deficit to a workable 42-29. The second half belonged to the visitors, though, as Holy Family broadened its bulge to 81-57 before coasting to the finish line, earning its 21st win for the first time since the NCAA Tournament season of 2007-08. Sparkplug guards Billy Cassidy (16 points, six rebounds) and Luke Dickson (15 points off the bench) were the top threats for Chestnut Hill, which was soundly outshot (49%-34%) and outclassed from downtown Philadelphia (14-34 to 9-24).
PHILADELPHIA 90 GOLDEY-BEACOM 73
A couple of miles up the road in East Falls, Philadelphia handed Goldey-Beacom its seventh straight setback to close out the year, wrapping up third place and a road playoff game at Post. Peter Alexis came up big again with 20 points and 12 rebounds in a rare Senior Day bench outing, pacing five in double digits as the Rams never trailed despite playing the second of back-to-back games. A 29-14 upswing snapped a 13-13 tie and put the hosts in control at 42-27. The Lightning – which was bolstered by Joey Getz’s 19 points – crept within 55-52 after the departing senior’s lay-up with 13:16 to play, but a 29-10 Philly blitz – culminating in a Derek Johsnon 3-ball with 5:27 left – put the game on ice at 84-62. Nick Schlitzer posted 19 points and five assists for the winners, who also received 17 points apiece from Johnson (4-8 from afar, along with eight rebounds off the bench) and Andre Gibbs (3-3 from 3). T.J. Huggins rounded out the double-figure scorers with 10 points on 5-of-6 shooting as the Rams outshot Goldey from the floor (57%-42%), the arc (9-17 to 3-13) and the stripe (13-14 to 12-19). Parris Ridgeway-Higgs recorded 13 points and four assists for the Lightning, which also saw Derrick Archie (10 rebounds), Daniel Cooper and Chris Gebhart net 10 points, the latter in his collegiate swan song. Both teams handled the ball beautifully (PU six turnovers, GBC just three).
NYIT 90 LIU POST 80
The playoff participants are all set in the East Coast Conference, though the pecking order is far from being established. In Old Westbury, national scoring leader Darian Hooker exploded for 29 of his 41 points in the second half, going 18-for-21 from the foul line and handing out five assists in leading New York Institute of Technology to a victory over next-door neighbor LIU Post in the latest installment of the “Battle of the Boulevard.” An extremely tight and intense game, there were no fewer than nine ties and 17 lead changes, with neither team being separated by more than five points over the first 32 minutes. A 17-4 spree, initiated by two Hooker freebies, flipped a 59-58 shortfall into a 75-63 lead with 5:23 left. The Pioneers eventually shaved the deficit in half at 56-50 following a bucket by P.J. Torres (30 points, 13-22 FG, 10 rebounds, two swats) with 28 ticks remaining, but Hooker and Khalif Chaplin (22 points, 4-5 from deep, four assists) each deposited two free throws to seal the deal and forge a three-way tie (with LIU Post and Dowling) for fifth place and the final home playoff slot. Jon Feiler racked up 15 points, 18 rebounds and three blocks for the Bears, who won despite being outshot (48%-42%) and manhandled in the paint (50-20). Foul shooting was instrumental in the outcome (NYIT 28-33, LIUP 6-16). Tyuan Williams delivered 14 points and eight rebounds in a losing effort for LIU Post.
MOLLOY 73 QUEENS 69
Molloy remains a half-game ahead of the other three Long Island schools after rallying to repel Queens at Fitzgerald Gym, eliminating its hosts from playoff contention. Jaylen Morris had the hot hand for the Lions with 21 points (8-11 FG) and seven rebounds, while Brandon Williams contributed 18 points and six assists. In a game that saw five ties and 14 lead changes, Queens led for the majority of the opening period and by as many as eight points. A 3-pointer by Diego Maldonado (20 points, 6-13 from downtown Flushing) at the halftime horn gave the Knights a 37-36 edge, and they were still on top 47-42 over eight minutes into the final frame after a Maldonado steal and slam. Kevin Bowles (six points and rebounds off the bench) responded with a tip-in “And-1” to launch a 19-3 uprising that lifted Molloy into the lead, 61-50 with 4:57 to go. Still, Queens made things interesting in the waning moments, pulling within a possession (72-69) after two freebies by Kyhiem Chaplin (10 points) with just five seconds on the clock. Williams then stroked the clinching foul shot a second later as the Lions fared much better at the line (19-29 to 4-10) and from the field overall (51%-43%). Jerry Mordi fronted the Queens attack with 22 points (8-12 FG, 5-7 from 3) and seven rebounds as his team was deadlier from distance (13-30 to 4-13). Conversely, the Lions cranked out all 10 second-chance points and scored nearly twice as often inside (38-20).
BRIDGEPORT 105 DOWLING 71
The ECC’s top two teams are still within a half-game of each other after victories last night. At Hubbell Gym, all 11 players who saw action scored at least one basket and five finished with twin figures as Bridgeport annihilated Long Island Sound rival Dowling for its fifth straight “W.” Devon Elliott (7-9 FG, 4-6 from deep, eight assists) and Jesse Jones (7-11 FG, 5-7 from 3 off the bench) spearheaded the charge with 19 points each as the Purple Knights zoomed out to first-half leads of 19-8, 43-17 and 62-29. The margin maxed out at 83-40 after a Jones triple with 13:28 still on the clock as the Golden Lions never came closer than 33 points the balance of the ballgame. Ernest Rouse chipped in with 17 points and seven rebounds for Bridgeport, which also saw Willie Williams III stuff the stat sheet with 12 points, seven boards, six assists and four steals. Naqwan Crowell rounded out the top scorers with 10 points. Darien Davis churned out 17 points to lead Dowling, which also received 16 points (3-4 from afar) and six boards off the bench from MiKing Richardson, as well as 12 and seven, respectively, from fellow reserve Michael Guzzardi. The P-Knights were the superior shooters (53%-36%), rebounders (51-32) and passers (25-15 in assists) while making nearly three times as many trifectas (14-31 to 5-20) in producing their ninth 20-win season in Mike Ruane’s 15 years as head coach. Dowling is part of that three-way tie for fifth place.
ST. THOMAS AQUINAS 64 MERCY 53
Shaq McFarlan procured 14 points (6-8 FG) and seven rebounds to lead first-place St. Thomas Aquinas past Mercy in Dobbs Ferry to reduce its magic number to clinch its first regular-season ECC crown to one. The Spartans led from start to finish, jumping out to a 20-5 lead and taking a 34-21 upper hand into the locker room after a buzzer-beating fall-away three by Justin Reyes (10 points). The lead was 48-32 with 11-and-a-half minutes to play when the Mavericks started to stir. A 17-7 run – fueled by 13 points from Jason Quijada – brought the Mavericks to within 55-49 inside the five-minute mark, but STAC came up with the next seven points (including five straight by McFarlan) to provide some breathing room at 62-49. Marcus Henderson rang up 11 points (3-6 from beyond the arc) for the Spartans, who made more trips to the line (14-26 to 3-5), aiding their cause (the fouls were 23-12). Quijada was the bright spot for Mercy with 23 points (9-16 FG, 5-9 from 3) and Terrance Murchie tossed in 10, but a 22-14 turnover disparity hampered the team’s chances.
DAEMEN 59 ROBERTS WESLEYAN 54
Kyle Clifford canned a career-best 24 points on 9-of-12 shooting (6-of-8 from long range) and Gerald Beverly earned his 86th consecutive double-figure scoring output with 15 points, nine rebounds and three blocked shots in his final homecoming as third-place Daemen slipped past Upstate New York rival Roberts Wesleyan in Rochester for its eighth straight win in the series. The Wildcats engineered a 21-9 lead, then halted a 13-0 Redhawks run on a Clifford triple at the buzzer to edge back in front 24-22. A 11-5 open to the final period, capped by another Clifford bomb, pushed the advantage to 45-37 with eight-and-a-half minutes left when Tyrel Dixon came to life with a 3-pointer and jump shot to spin off a 14-4 rush that gave the hosts a 51-48 upper hand after a Dixon lay-up with 2:25 remaining. It was 53-52 Roberts when Jordan Greene (seven points) supplied the go-ahead lay-up with 1:10 to go. After a stop, Beverly also scored inside to give Daemen a 56-53 lead. After both teams exchanged free throws, Dixon missed a potential tying 3-pointer and Beverly closed out the scoring, meshing two foul shots with five seconds to go. Dixon submitted 13 of his 17 points (8-13 FG) after halftime while adding 12 rebounds in a losing cause. Isaac Medeiros (13 points, six boards, four assists) and Marcus Gooding (12 points) also played well for the Redhawks, whose first official ECC playoff pursuit came to an end. The stats were extremely close, including chilly shooting (DC 38%, RWC 36%). The most noticeable difference was a 15-5 Wildcats advantage in mistake points.
FELICIAN 110 CONCORDIA 96
Senior forwards Jeyvi Miavivilulu (27 points, 12-18 FG, 10 rebounds) and J.R. Pringley (26 points, 12-17 FG, 10 boards) nearly duplicated each other’s stat lines in their final college game, while Marko Kozul drove home 24 points (6-9 FG, 4-6 from downtown Bronxville) in 19 bench minutes, powering Felician to a comeback win over Concordia at the Meyer Center. The Golden Falcons fell into two separate 11-point holes in the first half before storming back in the second after nine lead changes characterized the first six minutes. The Clippers’ last lead was 65-64 when a Pringley lay-up commenced a 27-11 power run that put the visitors ahead for keeps, 91-76 with 5:27 on the clock, the home team coming no closer than seven the rest of the way. Lamine Cooper added 11 points for Felician, whose 110 points represent a program record (they had accumulated 105 on two occasions back in the NAIA days). Andrew Peacock (8-9 FG in a reserve role) and Jalen Heath (4-5 from 3, eight assists) led five in double figures with 18 points for Concordia, which was mauled on the glass (43-25) and blasted on second chances (17-4). Tshyrad Oates (14 points in his final game), Peter Aguilar (13) and Jamie Holder (12) all contributed for the Clippers, who were better on the break (24-13) but closed out the campaign with five straight losses. There wasn’t much defense on display in this one (FC 61%, CC 55%).
POLL POSITION
The new coaches and media polls were released yesterday (counting games through last Sunday), and University of the Sciences lands at #21 in both. Southern Connecticut checks in at #23 in the NABC while jumping to #19 in the D2SIDA. Southern New Hampshire is receiving votes in the latter. Florida Southern remains #1 in both rankings. The new NCAA regional rankings show little variation fro last week (last week's positions are in parentheses):
1. Southern Connecticut (1)
2. Southern New Hampshire (2)
3. St. Anselm (3)
4. Bridgeport (4)
5. American International (5)
6. USciences (7)
7. Stonehill (8)
8, Holy Family (9)
9. St. Michael's (6)
10. Philadelphia (NR)
Dropped Out: Bentley