Every regional team but Dowling took to the court on an arctic Saturday in the region, and upsets in the Northeast-10 highlighted the action:
ST. MICHAEL’S 84 ST. ANSELM 75
Junior forward Matt Bonds totaled 18 points and nine rebounds off the bench (due to Senior Day) and St. Michael’s held #19 St. Anselm without a basket for nearly 10 minutes in a shocking upset at the Ross Sports Center, snapping an eight-game losing streak in the series dating back four years. Morrell Gaskins added 17 points (5-7 FG, 7-7 FT), including a key hoop with 3:04 to play that provided a little breathing room at 72-69 and sparked a 14-6 game-ending flourish. Things didn’t look so good for the home team at the outset as the Hawks flew out to a 20-6 lead. That’s when they would hit their dry spell from the field, though, missing 10 straight shots (they did make seven free throws) and turning it over three times as the Purple Knights edged in front 29-27, eventually lengthening the lead to 38-31 by halftime. St. Mike’s – which also received solid outings from Levi Holmes III (16 points) and Derek Cheatom (11 in nine bench minutes on 4-5 shoting) – maintained between a one and eight-point upper hand until the waning seconds as they made half of their shots on the afternoon (SAC was 43%), sank 21-23 from the stripe (SAC was 16-25) and enjoyed a 44-26 edge in the paint. Mike McCahey paced St. A’s with 25 points, followed by Harrison Taggart (17 points, four assists) and Victor Joshua (16 points, 5-5 FG, 2-2 from long range, six rebounds and six assists). The Hawks – who are now tied for second place in the Northeast-10’s powerful Northeast Division with Stonehill – stayed close thanks to superior shooting beyond the arc (11-29 to 3-10).
FRANKLIN PIERCE 92 BENTLEY 82
Mike McDevitt led five in double figures with 18 points, including a huge 3-pointer and lay-up to kick off a late, game-clinching 12-0 run as Franklin Pierce outlasted first-place Bentley in Rindge, moving within one game of clinching the final divisional playoff spot. Matt Banton churned out 16 points and seven rebounds off the bench for the Ravens, who led the entire game, bolting out to leads of 17-5, 30-11 and 43-21 before settling for a 45-27 halftime cushion. The Falcons, as expected, battled back, sneaking within two points on a couple of occasions late, including 73-71 after a 10-footer in the paint by Tyler McFarland (22 points, seven rebounds, four assists) with 5:34 left. That’s when McDevitt came to life and the hosts stretched their advantage to 85-71 inside the two-minute mark, before salting it away. Jacob Jacquo (12 points on 4-5 shooting), Tyler Iacuone (12 points, six assists) and Asante Sandiford (11 points, 3-4 FG, 2-2 from 3) were all useful in support for Pierce, which outshot its guests (56%-43%) and was more efficient from long distance (12-25 to 11-31). Keegan Hyland accumulated 23 of his 32 points (5-9 from deep) in the second half for Bentley, which also landed Alex Furness in double digits with 10 points and eight rebounds. Both teams produced strong assist-turnover ratios (FPU 21/10, BU 13/7).
SAINT ROSE 85 SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT 79
Tyler Sayre exploded for 32 points (11-19 FG, 3-4 from 3-point land, 7-7 FT) and seven rebounds while Mical-Ryan Boyd pumped in a career-high 24 points (10-18 FG, 4-7 from 3) and snagged six boards to spearhead Saint Rose’s impressive victory over Southwest Division champ Southern Connecticut at Nolan Gym. A 21-1 first-half outburst was the first shot fired across the bow as the Golden Knights opened up a 36-15 lead, but the Owls shaved the deficit to 41-33 by halftime, then used a 14-4 run out of the break to slide in front, 47-45, following a bucket by Desmond Williams (30 points, nine rebounds). That would be the first of 10 lead changes over a seven-minute span, the last one coming on a Sayre triple that commenced an 8-0 spurt and gave the hosts a 70-64 lead with 6:14 remaining. Southern came as close as 80-78 on a pair of Williams free throws at the one-minute mark but Saint Rose canned five of six foul shots over the final 32 seconds to seal the deal. Reigning NE-10 Freshman of the Year Jack Jones logged 10 points, seven caroms and four assists for the winners, who also saw Damon Coleman contribute six points, eight rebounds and 10 assists. Michael Mallory sported 18 points for the Owls, who also landed Joey Wallace (13 points, eight boards) and Brett Buser (personal-best 11 points on 4-6 shooting off the pine) in double figures. Southern Connecticut won the glass (40-33) but the third-place Golden Knights were better in the ball distribution department (18/9 assist-turnover line compared to 9/11).
HOLY FAMILY 81 BLOOMFIELD 72
The CACC’s first-place clubs clashed in Northern New Jersey, and unlike the Civil War, the South prevailed this time around as Holy Family upended Bloomfield to clinch a tie for the divisional crown. An 11-4 open to the second half fleshed out a 38-29 Tigers lead to 49-33 before the Bears clawed their way back, pulling within 60-59 after a 3-ball from reserve guard Ahmid Williams (nine points on 3-5 long-range shooting) with 8:15 to go. They would get no closer as Xavier Williams (no relation) converted a timely lay-up and followed with two free throws as part of a 6-0 swing that boosted the advantage to 78-68 with 36 seconds on the clock. Derrick Stewart topped a balanced scorecard for Holy Family with 15 points (6-8 FG) and nine rebounds. He was flanked by Reggie Charles (14 points, 10 assists), Isaiah Gans (13 points) and Marvin Crawford (13 points, six rebounds, four helpers) as the visitors shot better overall (49%-38%) and made more threes (10-32 to 6-21) to offset Bloomfield’s better boardwork (44-35, including 18-6 on the offensive end), which led to four times as many second-chance points (28-7). Claude Blue was high man for the Bears with 17 points and eight rebounds. He was followed by Ignacio Diez (14, 7) and Rakwan Kelly (12, 8).
PHILADELPHIA 62 NYACK 59 (OT)
The most hotly contested game of the weekend came in the City of Brotherly Love, where Philadelphia held off upset-minded Nyack in an overtime thriller. T.J. Huggins led the charge with 23 points and eight rebounds for the Rams, who appeared to be in control at 38-28 early in the second half before the Warriors strung together 12 straight points, moving in front 40-38 after a lay-up by Imran Ritchie (12 points, four assists) with 12:07 to play. Eight straight by the hosts, capped by a Huggins jumper, restored a 46-40 upper hand, but the visitors hung around, eventually forcing overtime on Jaron Smith’s tying trey with three seconds left. Philly U. never trailed in the bonus round and caught a huge break thanks to a rare turnover as a Nyack player was ruled ineligible to catch a pass with 11 seconds remaining, handing possession back to the hosts. Huggins was fouled and swished his freebies to conclude the scoring as Frank Martin’s last-gasp attempt just inside the arc bounced off the rim at the buzzer. Brandon Kilpatrick (16 points, six rebounds) and Peter Alexis (15 points, 13 rebounds, six blocked shots) made impacts for the Rams, who were the better shooting team (41%-33%) and did more damage at the stripe (16-19 to 6-7) while dominating the glass (45-30). Nyack – which was fronted by Smith’s 14 points (4-6 from deep) - stayed close with tenacious defense that forced nearly twice as many turnovers (25-13), leading to a 27-13 scoring edge. They also out-assisted their hosts, 14-6. Robert Tyler (11 points) and Shawn Witherspoon (10) played well in a losing effort for the Warriors, who are now two games out of the final playoff spot in the CACC North. Philadelphia maintains second in the South.
SCIENCES 76 POST 64
Across town in University City, Sho Da-Silva stuffed the stat sheet with 27 points, six rebounds, four steals and three blocks, while Wes Kerr (18 points, 6-8 FG) and Will Gregorits (14 points, six rebounds) made their presences felt in University of the Sciences’ win over Post to remain within striking distance of Philadelphia for second. The Devils spotted their guests the first 10 points and trailed 25-14 before slicing their arrears to 28-27 by the break. Still trailing 35-34 nearly four minutes into the final frame, Gregorits converted successive lay-ups to launch a 32-8 blitz that put USciences in the clear at 66-43 with 6:56 to go. Tyler Desrosiers registered 14 points and David Seymour 10 off the bench for the Eagles, who slip into a third-place tie in the North. The Devils shot 72% after intermission (52% for the game) and 4-7 from beyond the arc for the game (PU was 5-16). Post was better on the backboards, 29-23.
CHESTNUT HILL 60 DOMINICAN 46
Just up the road at Sorgenti Arena, Chestnut Hill won a rock fight with Dominican to carve out a two-game lead for the final playoff spot in the South Division. Noel Hightower came up big in the defensive struggle with 12 points (4-6 FG), eight rebounds, four steals and three blocks for the Griffins, who rode a 14-2 second-half wave in extending a 27-23 lead to 41-25 following a 3-pointer by Edward McWade (10 points) with 13:04 on the clock. The margin barely fluctuated between 10 and 15 the balance of the ballgame thanks to 60% second-half shooting by The Hill. Gerrel Irvin was the lone bright spot for the Chargers with 12 points, 10 boards and four steals as his team shot just 32% from the floor. Both sides were sloppy with the rock, combining for just 20 assists to 35 turnovers. Dominican is tied for third place in the North.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 100 BRIDGEPORT 92
In the battle for third place in the crowded top of the East Coast Conference, District of Columbia prevailed in a shootout over Bridgeport for its first-ever win in eight tries at Hubbell Gym, avenging a home loss and capturing its fourth straight triumph overall. Joseph Nickerson led five in double digits for the Firebirds with 21 points (11-17 FG), seven rebounds and four assists as UDC reached the century mark for the third straight game. A tight first half that produced seven ties and 13 lead changes culminated in a 15-5 spell, sparked by an Erin Senegal three, that afforded the visitors a 52-45 advantage. They bent but didn’t break over the final 20 minutes, seeing the Purple Knights sneak within 68-66 inside the 12-minute mark before a trifecta by Jaevon Butler (14 points, seven rebounds) triggered a 12-4 run that swelled the lead to 80-70. Bridgeport came as close as 92-88 on a foul shot from Muhammed Ahmed (17 points, six rebounds) with 1:27 to play but Nickerson’s traditional 3-point play 12 seconds later set in motion a 6-0 flurry that ended all doubt at 98-88 with 41 seconds left. Senegal finished with 21 points (7-9 FG, 5-5 from 3) for UDC, which also placed Kasim Chandler (17 points, 9-9 FT, six rebounds, five assists) and Martin Campbell (12 points, six boards off the bench) in twin figures. Antoine Brown dropped 15 (6-8 FG, 2-2 from 3) for the P-Knights, who, like their guests, also placed five in double figures, including Ernest Rouse (14 points, six rebounds), Montana Mayfield (12 points, four helpers in a reserve role) and Devon Elliott (10 points). The Firebirds shot 52% from the floor and even better from beyond the arc (11-20 compared to UB’s 5-15). Fourth-place Bridgeport made up ground by outscoring UDC 18-8 off turnovers.
DAEMEN 100 MERCY 86
Second-place Daemen also hit triple digits after outgunning Mercy in Dobbs Ferry, snapping its hosts’ five-game win streak in the process. Torrence Dyck led five in double figures with 19 points and six rebounds for the Wildcats, who only trailed once on the day (2-0) before commandeering leads of 21-8 and 47-29. The Mavericks – who were buoyed by Shaquille Stokes’ 17 points and four assists off the bench – rallied within a single possession (63-60) near the midway mark of the second half before a pair of free throws from Arif Mehmetaj (17 points, three blocks in his first career bench outing) ignited an 18-7 charge that amplified the lead to 81-67 with 4:47 remaining. The margin maxed out at 92-73 after a Dyck dunk provided the exclamation mark as Daemen proved the superior shooting team overall (52%-40%) and from the foul line (26-29 to 13-21). Deion Hamilton recorded 14 of his 18 points in the first half, adding seven rebounds and four assists for the victors, who also received 10 points apiece from Jay Sarkis and Ryan Grandits (the latter total coming exclusively in the second half for the reserve forward). Gerald McClease made his presence felt with 16 points and seven rebounds for Mercy, which also saw Raphael Jennings (15 points) and Will Robinson (14 points, seven boards) play well in defeat. The Mavs maintain a two-game advantage for the final ECC playoff spot.
ST. THOMAS AQUINAS 96 ROBERTS WESLEYAN 57
Make it 14 straight for ECC frontrunner St. Thomas Aquinas, which thumped Roberts Wesleyan at Aquinas Hall as all 12 players who saw action reached the score column. Justin Reyes led the cavalry with 24 points in 24 minutes (11-13 FG) while adding 14 rebounds as the Spartans were the lead dog from wire to wire, reeling off the first 11 points and coasting into the break with a 53-36 lead. A 22-0 barrage in the second stanza transformed a 59-47 game into an 81-47 blowout after a Reyes “And-1” at the 9:05 juncture. The gap crested at 94-54 before it was all said and done as STAC enjoyed its greatest margin of victory as an NCAA program, holding Roberts without a basket for nearly 13 minutes in one stretch. Chaz Watler collected 15 points and five assists for Aquinas, which also landed Shaq McFarlan in double figures with 13 points (5-7 FG). Zack Panebianco and Tyrel Dixon both mustered a dozen for the Redhawks, while Mike Stone chipped in with 10. The Spartans were the far stronger shooting club (59%-35%), though not from distance (6-15 to 9-25). They dominated the on the boards (44-27), in the paint (56-12) and on the break (14-2) while also punishing its guests 35-6 off turnovers.
SOUTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE 89 MERRIMACK 75
Rodney Sanders delivered 23 points (4-8 from 3) and six assists to lead five in twin figures as Southern New Hampshire pushed Merrimack to the brink of elimination in North Andover. The Penmen led this one from pillar to post, engineering a 33-15 lead en route to a 55-41 halftime bulge. The Warriors – who saw Gelvis Solano record his 2,000th point as part of a 17-point, eight-rebound outing – never came closer than 12 points after the break as SNHU kept the pedal to the floor, leading by as much as 85-60 after a 3-ball from Charlie Russo (personal-best 12 points in 4-6 long-range shooting off the bench) with 7:36 to go. B.J. Cardarelli notched 17 points for the fourth-place Penmen, who also received 14 apiece from Devin Gilligan (14 points, 4-5 from deep, 10 rebounds) and Chris Walters (seven boards). Troy Hammel chalked up 18 points for Merrimack, with JT Strickland (14 points, nine caroms) and Anthony Barry (12 points) also playing well in a losing cause. The Warriors won the glass (45-32) and were more formidable in the paint (34-16) but were outclassed from downtown (14-29 to 5-20) and outscored 22-10 off turnovers.
STONEHILL 77 ASSUMPTION 66
Carter Smith hit for 23 points (6-9 FG, 3-5 from afar) and Pierce Cumpstone chimed in with 17 points (also 3-5 from 3), 10 rebounds and career-best five blocked shots to lead Stonehill past Bay State rival Assumption at Merkert Gym and annex a share of second place in the Northeast Division, a game off the pace. A 16-5 upswing out of the intermission expanded a modest 39-38 lead to 55-43 after a triple by Isaiah Bess (12 points off the bench on 4-6 shooting from deep). The Pesky Greyhounds answered with a 14-3 counter-run, sidling within 58-57 on a Reilly Reid three with 9:22 on the clock before both teams went scoreless for nearly two minutes. Ryan Logan (12 points, 14 rebounds) ended the drought with a lay-up that initiated a 9-0 spree and gave the hosts a 67-57 upper hand with 5:43 to play. The Hounds halved the deficit three times down the stretch before the Skyhawks nailed it down with six straight free throws over the final minute, consigning their guests to a ninth straight setback. Reid cashed in 18 points (6-7 FG, 4-5 from distance) for Assumption, which also placed Declan Soukup (17 points, five assists), Kamali Bey (12 points in reserve duty) and Justin Tuckson (10 in his first collegiate start) in double figures. Stonehill won the glass (42-24), dispensed all 16 second-chance points and made three times as many foul shots (18-22 to 6-10), offsetting a 19-8 disparity in mistake points.
ADELPHI 64 NEW HAVEN 61
Anthony Libroia’s lay-up with 2:05 left snapped a 59-59 tie and lifted Adelphi to victory over New Haven in West Haven, clinching a tie for second place in the Southwest Division. The Panthers led by as many as 11 points in the first half before the game tightened up, resulting in eight lead changes over the final seven minutes. Tavon Ginyard (12 points, four assists) hit three of four foul shots in the last 13 seconds to provide the final count as Michael Bourke’s potential tying trey bounded off the front rim at the buzzer. Manny Suarez garnered 19 points and seven rebounds for the winners, while Libroia (15 points, four assists) and Ryan DeNicola (11 points, 10 rebounds) also played well. Jemal Mosley fueled the Chargers’ attack with 20 points (7-10 FG, 5-6 from long range) and Bourke poured in 14 (4-7 from 3). Adelphi boasted the stronger assist-turnover line (13/9 to 9/15) and feasted in the paint (30-12) in a game that saw both sides shoot more threes than twos (AU 28/27, UNH 28/19). New Haven is two games out of the last playoff spot.
AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL 72 PACE 64
American International shaded Pace in Pleasantville and ascended into fourth place as a result, avenging an early-season home loss. Cameron Dobbs powered the Yellow Jackets with 22 points, with Jayvon Pitts-Young (18 points, 3-5 from long range, seven rebounds, four assists) and Rasheed Howard (10 points, eight boards off the bench) offering strong support. The Jackets trailed only once (9-8) before constructing a 33-18 lead, then found themselves tied at 60-60 after a pair of Austin Mofunanya foul shots with 4:33 remaining. Pitts-Young and Howard then split their attempts the next two possessions and Howard nailed two more at the 2:59 mark to give AIC a 64-60 edge. The Setters – who were “paced” by Bryan Rivers’ 23 points – came as close as 67-64 with 47 ticks to go after a lay-up by Shelton Mickell (10 points) but Juwan Moody (nine points) drilled a triple 26 seconds later to provide the final dagger. Mofunanya compiled season highs of 16 points (6-8 FG) and 13 rebounds for Pace, which was outclassed from beyond the arc (10-23 to 3-17) in slipping into fifth place. Both teams exhibited icy touches overall (AIC 39%, PU 37%).
CONCORDIA 88 GEORGIAN COURT 74
Stephen Milhaven generated 24 points, nine rebounds and personal-best five steals, while Andrew Peacock cranked out 22 points (7-11 FG, 5-8 from deep) as Concordia cruised past Georgian Court at the Wellness Center and into second place in the CACC North. After spotting their hosts the first basket, the Clippers seized the reins, zooming out to a 23-8 lead that increased to 46-27 by halftime and 80-52 with 8:34 on the clock. Peter Aguilar pitched in with 17 points and Elijah Brown 11 (3-4 from downtown Lakewood) for Concordia, which won despite being outshot from the floor (49%-43%). The visitors made up for those deficiencies by draining more 3-pointers (12-32 to 8-20) and free throws (14-18 to 2-4). Keith Hughes (18 points, six rebounds) and Michael Pierre (12, 6) led the Lions, who dropped their fifth in a row despite closing out the game with a 13-0 flourish to make the final a little more respectable. Hamilton Capellan (12 points off the bench) and Nikola Vujovic (10) also reached doubles in defeat.
CALDWELL 87 GOLDEY-BEACOM 71
Caldwell is surging in hopes of crashing the playoff party, shooting a sizzling 65% in the second half (53% overall) in a runaway victory vs. Goldey-Beacom in the Garden State. Ned Ogoemesim amassed personal highs of 23 points (8-10 FG, 4-5 from 3), 12 rebounds and five assists in a reserve role, while Salvatore Vitello also rang up career highs of 22 points (6-7 from afar) and nine assists for the Cougars, who orchestrated a 34-8 torrent to flip a 46-39 second-half deficit into a 73-54 advantage with 5:43 to play. Ogoemesim supplied 16 of his 23 points during the power run as Caldwell shot 13-24 from behind the 3-point line (GBC was 7-19) and won both the rebounding (38-28) and assist (19-9) categories. Dawan Lighty tacked on 12 points for the winners, who are now a game off the playoff pace. Shakeem Wilson (22 points, 7-10 FG, 4-4 from 3, four steals) and Corey Taite (21 points, nine rebounds, five swipes) were the top options for the Lightning, which falls two games back of the last playoff position in the South.
WILMINGTON 73 FELICIAN 66
Time is running out for the other North Jersey team looking to make a late playoff push as Felician was toppled by Wilmington at the Complex, falling three games out in the loss column with three games left. Tyaire Ponzo-Meek gathered 22 points (8-13 FG) and eight rebounds for the Wildcats, including a jumper with 6:55 left that produced the game’s first three-possession lead at 57-50. It didn’t last long, however, as the Golden Falcons rattled off the next seven, drawing even with 4:39 remaining. A driving dunk by Brian Adkins (eight points) 20 seconds later uncorked a 10-0 burst and the hosts were in the clear at 67-57 with 1:51 to go, converting six straight at the stripe to lock it up. Drew Johnson submitted 17 points (4-8 from 3) and five assists for the winners, who also placed Sam Sanders in double figures with 13 points off the bench. Jamal Reid drove home 25 points (11-16 FG) and dished out seven assists for Felician, which also benefited from a 17-point, nine-rebound outing from Jeyvi Miavivilulu and furnished the stronger assist-turnover ratio (18/6 to 10/10). Wilmington was much more proficient at the foul line (15-17 to 2-7).
QUEENS 76 LIU POST 65
Backup sophomore guard Simon Green provided 18 of his personal-best 20 points (4-7 from distance) in the second half while distributing four assists in leading Queens past LIU Post at Fitzgerald Gym to move within two games of the ECC playoff picture. Mohamed Dansoko and Paul Little (six rebounds off the bench) each tossed in a baker’s dozen for the Knights, who jumped out to a 22-9 lead before the Pioneers fought their way back to a 42-42 deadlock seven minutes into the second stanza. A Dansoko lay-up touched off an 11-3 spurt that gave the hosts the lead for keeps at 53-45 near the midway mark, and the margin barely budged between six and 12 the rest of the way. Diego Maldonado turned in a 10-point, eight-rebound performance for Queens, which also saw Tyree White fill the stat sheet with seven points, 12 rebounds, 10 assists and four steals. Dillon Burns posted 13 points to lead Post, with Aary Bibens (12 points), Greg Dotson (11) and Jared Hall (10) following sequentially. The Knights were the superior shooters (47%-33%), especially from long range (8-21 to 3-19), while accounting for 20 of the game’s 26 assists. The fifth-place Pioneers stayed close thanks to more trips to the line (22-28 to 12-17).
MOLLOY 86 NYIT 79
Molloy still has a breath of postseason life after hammering Long Island rival New York Institute of Technology at Recreation Hall to inch within three games of the last spot. Coaches’ sons Charlie Marquardt (26 points) and Jaylen Morris (23 points, nine rebounds) were the top dogs for the Lions, though it was a 3-point play by Curtis Jenkins (15 points, four assists, four steals off the bench) that tied the game at 20-20 and kick-started a 23-6 dash that put his team on top for good, 40-26. A 12-2 surge coming out of the halftime break fattened a 47-35 lead to 59-37 after a Marquardt trifecta, and the gap crested at 74-51 before the Bears whittled it down to seven points by the final horn. Khalif Chaplin carried the load once again for NYIT with 26 points and six rebounds. His supporting cast included reserves who attained career highs: Darale Young (14 points) and Alonzo Paulino, Jr. (13). Jerrel Green tabulated eight points and 15 rebounds as well. Molloy was outworked at the foul line (21-29 to 11-16) but compensated with a much stronger assist-turnover line (15/11 to 5/19), resulting in a 26-14 edge in mistake points.
Le MOYNE 68 GANNON 54
A 23-9 tear over the last 8:58 of the first half put Le Moyne in front for good against old Mideast Collegiate Conference rival Gannon in a non-conference contest at the Henninger Athleic Center. Russell Sangster snapped off 10 of his 13 points during the run, including a buzzer-beating trey that put the hosts ahead 34-23 (his second in as many attempts). The Golden Knights crept back within 46-43 inside the 10-minute mark when the Dolphins embarked on a 15-5 run, widening their advantage to 61-48 with 5:03 on the clock. The margin bounced between 10 and 15 the remainder of the ballgame as Le Moyne made 50% of its shots, outclassed its guests from downtown Syracuse (11-26 to 2-9) and outscored them 25-11 off of turnovers. Tanner Hyland came alive off the bench with 17 points (5-10 from 3) and Stan Buczek pumped in 10 (4-6 FG) for Le Moyne. Jean Yves Toupane racked up 24 points and six rebounds for Gannon, which won the glass, 34-25. The East Region is now 7-17 vs. the PSAC with one game left (Sciences at Cheyney on Feb, 22).