There was activity in all three conferences on Wednesday, and we begin the rundown with an upset in the Capital District of New York:
SAINT ROSE 68 AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL 54
Freshman guard Jamaal Greenwood led the way with a personal-best 23 points (5-8 FG, 4-7 from long range, 9-10 FT) and Chris Dorgler amassed 15 points (3-4 from 3), career-high 18 rebounds and six assists as Saint Rose shocked American International in Albany, knocking its guests from atop the Northeast-10’s Southwest Division standings while snapping an 11-game losing streak with authority. The Golden Knights led from wire to wire, streaking out to a 24-6 lead before settling for a 36-22 bulge at the break. The Yellow Jackets – who received 19 points, six rebounds and four steals from Bobby Harris – came as close as 63-54 after a lay-up from Al Shabazz Jabateh (11 points off the bench) with 2:36 to play, but would come no closer as they missed their last seven shots from the field while Saint Rose converted 5-of-6 at the line to close out the contest. Australian forwards Julian Lipinski (10 points, 11 rebounds in his first career start) and Jack Jones (10, 6) also reached double figures for the winners, who made a killing at the foul line (24-31 to 11-19) and on second chances (19-3). Neither team could shoot it well (CSR 35%, AIC 33%) but the Golden Knights were successful twice as often from beyond the arc (10-5) in an equal number of attempts (24) while handing out more than twice as many assists (15-6). AIC is now a game behind Southern Connecticut in the division.
SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT 61 NEW HAVEN 46
Tylon Smith totaled 19 points (7-9 FG, 3-3 from deep) and nine rebounds while Deshawn Murphy recorded 16 and nine, respectively, leading Southern Connecticut past Nutmeg State rival New Haven at Moore Field House to reclaim sole possession of first place. The Owls trailed just once at the outset (2-0) but ended the half on a high as Murphy was fouled taking a 3-pointer just inside of half-court and made all of his attempts for a 33-23 lead at the horn. The chasm remained in double digits over the final 17:46, peaking at 59-39 after a jumper from Luke Houston (10 points) with 6:45 left as Southern held an opponent to as low as 46 points for the first time since a 61-43 victory over UMass-Lowell on February 19, 2008. Eric Anderson once again topped the Chargers scorecard with 20 points and 10 rebounds, with Jonny Ocasio close behind at 13 and nine, respectively. Both teams exhibited a frosty shooting touch (SCSU 37%, UNH 33%), including a combined 15-of-52 from behind the 3-point line, but the assist-turnover ratios helped turn the tide in the Owls’ favor (14/8 to 6/14), leading to an 18-9 edge in mistake points).
ST. MICHAEL’S 76 FRANKLIN PIERCE 64
Five players reached twin figures, and four nearly registered double-doubles as St. Michael’s held off Franklin Pierce up in Vermont to remain tied for third place in the Northeast Division. Seniors Mike Thompson (16 points, 13 rebounds), James Cambronne (13, 10), Corey Crawford II (13, 9) and backup sophomore forward Matt Bonds (13, 9) all made impacts for the Purple Knights, as did Dom Ditlefsen, who collected 11 points, four assists and career-best five steals in a strong defensive effort. Nine lead changes distinguished a touch-and-go opening period that ended with the hosts ahead 33-31. St. Mike’s slowly began to pull away after intermission, opening up as much as a 52-38 advantage before the Ravens chopped it down to six on four occasions down the stretch, the last being 70-64 with 1:22 remaining before the P-Knights closed out the scoring with six straight at the stripe. Tyler Iacuone (13 points), Paul Becklens (12 points, seven assists) and Ryen Vilmont (12 points in 40 minutes) were the top scoring threats for the Ravens, who slip a game-and-a-half off the playoff pace. The story from the stat sheet was rebounding as St. Michael’s dominated the glass, 54-25 (23-6 on the offensive end), and accounted for 19 of the game’s 21 second-chance points. The hosts also quadrupled Pierce in free throw makes (12-15 to 3-6).
STONEHILL 93 MERRIMACK 89
In North Easton, Stonehill kept pace with St. Michael’s for third place by winning a second wild shootout from Merrimack in as many meetings this winter. In a game whose participants cranked out 31 points over the final 1:55, Pierce Cumpstone led six in double digits with 20 points and six rebounds in a reserve role for the Skyhawks, who have now captured six straight. A tight game most of the way, Stonehill carved out a little breathing room with a late 10-2 spurt that widened a 72-70 lead to 82-72 with 1:45 on the clock. The Warriors didn’t surrender, however, drawing within 91-89 after a 4-point play by Troy Hammel (24 points, 5-10 from distance) at the eight-second mark. That’s as close as they would get, though, as Carter Smith coolly knocked down the clinching foul shots three seconds later, the final touches on an 18-point game (9-10 FT). Jack Cole (16 points, 13 rebounds, three blocked shots), Adam Bramanti (14 points, 4-6 from 3), Ryan Logan (11 points, 10 rebounds, four assists) and Daniel Brix (10 points, five dishes) all made their presence felt for the victors, who won the battle of the boards, 42-28, and made a killing at the foul line (26-30 to 3-8), helping offset disparities from 3-point land (16-34 to 9-26) and in the turnover column (17-10). NE-10 scoring leader Gelvis Solano lived up to the hype, pumping in 40 points (15-28 FG, 8-15 from 3), including 10 in the last two minutes, while adding six rebounds, three assists and four steals in a losing cause. Both teams shot exactly 50% from the floor.
BENTLEY 81 ASSUMPTION 80
Up the road in Waltham, Tyler McFarland (26 points, seven rebounds) and Keegan Hyland (17, 7) guided fifth-place Bentley to its fourth straight win and 11th in 13 games, as the hosts hung on to nip Bay State rival Assumption. The Falcons constructed a 41-30 halftime lead after a buzzer-beating jumper from Alex Furness (14 points, six assists). The gap grew to 45-30 early in the second stanza, and was 70-57 inside of six minutes when the Greyhounds began to percolate, closing out the contest on a 23-11 run that left them one point shy as two missed threes to tie in the waning seconds were off the mark, the last one resulting in a put-back at the buzzer by Terrance Bobb-Jones, giving him a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds. Karl Ziegler was the top dog for the Hounds with 18 points, followed closely by Jack Sullivan (16 points off the bench, 4-8 from 3) and Jimmy Zenevitch (14 points on 7-of-8 shooting). Both teams were a plus-8 in assist-turnover ratio (BU 15/7, AC 16/8) but Bentley’s edge at the foul line was the key difference statistically (22-27 to 13-18) as Assumption was slightly better in the shooting (49%-47%) and rebounding (34-29) departments.
Le MOYNE 75 ADELPHI 68
Connor Mahoney garnered 19 of his career-high 24 points in the second half, including two huge triples in the last two minutes, leading five players in double figures as Le Moyne pulled away from Adelphi at the Center for Recreation and Sport to solidify third place in the Southwest Division and clinch a playoff berth in the process. After falling into an early 13-2 hole, the Dolphins slowly chipped away, eventually nudging in front 65-57 with 3:43 to play after a driving lay-up from Russell Sangster (10 points, 4-5 FG). The Panthers – who have dropped a program-record 12 in a row – halved the deficit to 65-61 at the two-minute mark before Mahoney – who also grabbed seven rebounds – nailed a big three to give the Phins a comfort zone. Stan Buczek (14 points), Qwadere Lovell (12 points, seven rebounds, eight assists, one turnover in 40 minutes) and Ryan Romich (10 points, nine boards, career high-tying five blocks) all made their presences felt for Le Moyne, which won the glass (35-24) and dominated in the paint (42-20). Damon Coleman (7-11 FG, four assists) and Anthony Libroia (five helpers) each posted 16 points for Adelphi, which also received 12 from Michael Coffey (3-5 from downtown Garden City). Both teams shot it well (LC 51%, AU 48%), and the Panthers were especially good from afar (11-21 compared to LC’s 5-14).
DOMINICAN 92 CONCORDIA 67
For the fourth time this season, a regional player has produced a triple-double. The first three came from the region’s premier big men: Gerald Beverly of Daemen, Garret Kerr of University of the Sciences and Eric Anderson of New Haven. This time, it was a sophomore guard from Dominican who turned the trick. Kristopher Hargraves racked up 16 points (7-9 FG), 11 rebounds and career-high 10 assists, complimenting Nick Smith’s 30-point (12-14 FG), eight-rebound effort up front as the Chargers clobbered Concordia at the Hennessy Center for their fifth straight victory and sole possession of first place in the CACC North. The hosts burst out of the gate with leads of 14-0 and 26-9 before the second-place Clippers closed the gap, coming within 46-43 after a lay-up from Jamie Holder (12 points) with 15:13 left in the second. It was all Dominican from there as Smith fueled a 26-9 tear with nine points as the Chargers widened the margin to 70-51 at the 8:45 juncture. The cushion eventually stretched to 30 before all was said and done as Robert Hueston chipped in with 18 points for the winners and Jalen Heath matched that total (4-7 from 3) off the bench for Concordia, adding eight rebounds to his ledger. Dominican shot a regional season-best 68% for the game, buried half of its 12 threes, handed out more than twice as many assists (21-10) and feasted in the paint (58-32). The four triple-doubles are the most for this region since these reports began in 1998. There have been only six others across all of Division 2 this season.
NYACK 83 POST 77
Will Robinson powered Nyack to an upset win against Post at the Drubner Center, cashing in 25 points and nine rebounds in a reserve role, while Khalid Samuels came up big with 24 points and six boards as the Warriors constructed a 20-point lead midway through the second half and held off a furious rally to prevail, snapping a four-game skid in the process. Chris Hampton added 17 points for Nyack, which never trailed, utilizing a 21-6 charge to break free from a 7-7 tie and grab a 28-13 upper hand. It was a 58-38 divide after a Robinson foul shot at 10:31 before the Eagles made their run, closing the gap to three points twice in the closing moments, including 73-70 after a freebie from Matt Mareno (18 points, 13 rebounds) with 1:27 remaining. Samuels then came through with four free throws within a 20-second span, but Post stormed back again, coming within 79-77 after a lay-up by David Seymour (four points off the pine) with 25 seconds to go. Robinson was fouled four seconds later and split his two attempts at the line, giving the hosts one last chance. Alas, a tying trey try from Tyler Desrosiers (eight points off the bench) fell short and Samuels sealed the deal at the stripe. Nardie Bogues (13 points, five assists) and Malik Howze (11 points) reached double figures for the third-place Eagles in defeat.
CALDWELL 84 FELICIAN 59
Caldwell moved within a virtual tie for the fifth and final playoff spot in the North after hammering Garden State rival Felician at the Newman Center. Billy McDonald hit for 18 points, and he was flanked by Kevin Walker (16 points, six rebounds, five assists), Dawan Lighty (16 points, six dishes) and Michael Balkovic (six points, 14 boards) as the Cougars took control with a 19-6 romp over the last 7:06 of the half, lengthening a 26-24 lead to 45-30. A 22-10 start to the final frame fattened the gap to 67-40 at the 8:26 mark and the Golden Falcons would come no closer than 18 points thereafter despite solid outputs from J.R. Pringley (18 points, seven rebounds) and Lamine Cooper (12 points). Caldwell was the superior shooting team (50%-36%), converted twice as often from the line (18-23 to 9-18) and claimed 17 of the game’s 21 points off turnovers.
USCIENCES 78 CHESTNUT HILL 62
The top two teams in the CACC South held serve with road victories. At Sorgenti Arena, Garret Kerr flirted with a triple-double, compiling 18 points, 11 rebounds, eight assists and four steals as University of the Sciences coasted past Chestnut Hill for its seventh straight triumph, improving to a region-best 17-4 overall. Dylan Kerwin tossed in 16 points (6-7 FG, 4-5 from downtown Philadelphia) for the Devils, who also landed Sho Da-Silva (15 points, six boards, three blocks) and Will Gregorits (12 points) in twin figures. USciences led 49-42 with 11-and-a-half minutes to go when Kerr nailed a jumper to spark a 12-3 burst as the lead swelled to 61-45 and oscillated between 11 and 18 the remainder of the ballgame. Filip Sekulic was the top threat for the Griffins with 17 points (8-11 FG), while Billy Cassidy followed with 13 points and four swipes in a reserve role. The Devils were the more accurate shooters (52%-33%) and made three times as many foul shots (24-34 to 8-16). Chestnut Hill was better on the backboards (39-31, including 18-9 offensive) but it wasn’t enough to avert a sixth straight defeat. The ugly game was marred by 43 fouls and 42 turnovers.
HOLY FAMILY 74 GOLDEY-BEACOM 63
Holy Family remained a game behind Sciences after repelling Goldey-Beacom in Delaware. Three men sported 14 points for the Tigers, including Eric Flemming, whose 3-ball more than eight minutes into the second half triggered an 8-0 spurt that gave the Tigers a 57-47 edge that proved too much for the hosts to overcome. The margin increased to 12 (70-58) before the Lightning made a late push, drawing within 70-63 after a traditional 3-point play by Chris Gebhart (15 points, eight rebounds) with 2:32 on the clock. That would be the extent of Goldey’s scoring, however, as Holy Family made 4-of-7 at the line to put a bow on it. Isaiah Gans (eight rebounds) and Reggie Charles (seven rebounds, six assists) also tallied 14 for the Tigers, who additionally saw Hunter Wysocki drop a dozen (3-4 from long distance). Kyle Steinbergin was high man for the Lightning with 18 points, exclusively on 6-of-12 shooting from beyond the arc. Joey Getz filed the stat sheet with 15 points, nine rebounds and five assists in a losing cause as Goldey-Beacom hurt its chances with a 6-for-13 outing at the foul line. Both teams furnished outstanding assist-turnover lines (HFU 18/9, GBC 16/9).
DOWLING 86 NYIT 85
Ryan Hickey’s 3-pointer with 9.8 seconds to play proved to be the dagger for Dowling, which squeaked past fellow Long Island foe New York Institute of Technology in Old Westbury to remain tied for fourth in the ECC. This game was a thrill ride from start to finish, with nine ties, 15 lead changes and an anticlimactic finish as regional scoring leader Darian Hooker exploded for a career-high 40 points (15-27 FG, 7-13 from deep) and eight assists but missed a chance to be the hero with 0.8 seconds left as he was fouled taking a game-winning three from the right wing with NYIT trailing by two. The D1 transfer from Campbell University – an 87% foul shooter – made the first but uncharacteristically missed the last two as the Golden Lions escaped with the big road win. Donte Adams notched 25 points (7-13 from 3) and seven rebounds for Dowling and engaged in a crazy sequence with Hooker in the first half as the two guards drilled four consecutive 3-pointers over a scintillating 45-second span, each one providing a lead change (there were 12 in the opening period alone). Hooker even ended the half with a step-back three to give the Bears a 50-47 upper hand. The second stanza was similarly tight, with neither side able to create more than a four-point separation over the last 15:53. Dowling trailed 84-81 inside the final minute when Tristan Brown scored a hoop. Then, after a stop, Hickey (24 points) delivered the game-winner. Evan Maxwell (10 points, 12 rebounds) and Armand Correa (11 points off the bench, 3-3 from 3) provided ample depth for the Golden Lions, who boasted a terrific 17/5 assist-turnover line (NYIT was a solid 13/10). Kachi Nzerem drove home 17 points and reeled in eight rebounds for the Bears, who also received 11 points apiece from Jon Feiler (3-4 from deep, 17 rebounds) and Khalif Chaplin.
BRIDGEPORT 63 LIU POST 53
Right next door at the Pratt Center, it was a completely opposite game in tone as Bridgeport won a defensive struggle vs. archrival LIU Post to maintain its share of first place. Devon Elliott deposited all 15 of his points in the first half, including his team’s last 10 to spearhead a 20-6 upswing over the last 7:39, flipping a 20-11 deficit into a 31-26 lead. The advantage was a single point (41-40) just over eight minutes into the second period when two free throws by Jesse Jones (15 points off the bench) set off a 13-3 spell that gave the Purple Knights control at 54-43 with 5:34 remaining. The Pioneers – who were paced by Tyuan Williams’ 14-point, nine-rebound effort – never came closer than nine thereafter, falling behind by as much as 62-48 before finally succumbing. Willie Williams III pitched in with 12 points and seven rebounds for the victors, who won despite being outshot (37%-30%) and outrebounded (45-41). Bridgeport more than made up for those discrepancies with more trips to the line (17-22 to 6-11), twice as many threes (6-18 to 3-9) and half as many turnovers (9-18), leading to a 20-6 boon in mistake points. Greg Dotson gathered 10 points (4-5 FG) off the pine for Post, which remains tied with NYIT for the sixth and final playoff berth.
ST. THOMAS AQUINAS 86 QUEENS 55
All 13 players generated baskets and St. Thomas Aquinas clobbered Queens in Sparkill for its NCAA program-record seventh straight win, remaining in lock-step with Bridgeport atop the ECC standings. Chaz Watler led the scoring barrage with 15 points, six rebounds and five assists, but it was STAC’s defense that really impressed on this night, holding the Knights scoreless for 8:16 and without a basket for more than a 10-minute stretch in the first half, erasing an early seven-point deficit and taking a 38-23 lead into the locker room. The final 20 minutes were a clinic as the Spartans’ lead crested at 33 points on four occasions (their last two games ended with wins of 30+ points, the most lopsided margins in the conference this season). Shaq McFarlan was the only other Spartan in double figures with 11 points, an output matched by Kyhiem Chaplin of Queens, who added six rebounds. Diego Maldonado and Travis Whitfield offered 10 points apiece in defeat. Aquinas was the far superior shooting (49%.38%), rebounding (44-27) and passing (21-9 in assists) team.
MOLLOY 71 MERCY 68
Kevin Bowles finished with 15 points (4-4 FG) and Matt McLeod supplied 13 to lead Molloy past Mercy in a Dobbs Ferry dogfight to remain tied for fourth. The Lions used a 25-5 blitz to transform a 47-38 second-half deficit into a 63-52 upper hand after two McLeod free throws with 3:44 on the clock. The lead was a seemingly comfortable 69-58 with less than 30 seconds to go before the Mavericks staged a near-miraculous comeback, hanging 10 points on the scoreboard in 21 seconds before running out of time. Chucks Obunse logged 11 points (4-5 FG) in a reserve role for Molloy, which shot 50% from the floor and did more damage at the foul line (23-27 to 13-18), helping offset a 16-3 disparity in second-chance scoring (Mercy won the glass, 34-27).. Jeremiah Brown led all scorers with 19 points for the Mavs in a losing effort, with Gerald McClease (13 points, seven rebounds) and Jose Quijada (11 points) also faring well.