Fierce rivalry games, comebacks, outstanding individual performances and milestones aplenty marked the last full-blown regional weekend of action, with nearly every game rife with postseason possibilities. We'll break it all down for you, beginning with a battle of crosstown foes in the City of Brotherly Love:
PHILADELPHIA 76 HOLY FAMILY 66
Seniors Peter Alexis (12 rebounds) and T.J. Huggins (nine boards, four assists) each generated 23 points and Philadelphia kept crosstown rival Holy Family without a field goal for a 9:12 stretch late in the second half in a statement win at the Gallagher Center, avenging a blowout loss in December, snapping their guests’ nine-game winning streak and clinching second place in the South Division. Brendan Kilpatrick (13 points) and Gemil Holbrook (10 off the bench) also played well for the Rams, dishing out five assists apiece, while Eric Long snatched 14 rebounds to go along with six points. Philly U. trailed only once (3-1) and found itself in a dogfight at 52-50 near the midway mark of the final period when an Alexis jumper set in motion a decisive 15-0 run that stretched the advantage to 67-50 with 2:21 to play. Huggins contributed eight points during the onslaught, but the Tigers roared back late with a 14-3 counter-run, creeping within 70-64 after a 3-pointer by Marvin Crawford (19 points, 8-12 FG, 3-4 from 3) with precisely one minute left. That’s as close as they would get, however, as Kilpatrick sank a pair at the foul line and the Rams ended the contest with a 6-2 spurt. Reggie Charles notched 16 points and seven assists for division champ Holy Family, which was outworked at the stripe (23-29 to 11-17) and on the backboards (48-31). Both teams shot poorly from downtown Philadelphia (PU 3-17, HFU 9-32). The Tigers will host either Post, Dominican or Nyack in the first round of the CACC Tournament while the Rams will entertain either Concordia or Dominican.
CHESTNUT HILL 73 SCIENCES 72 (OT)
On the other side of town, the other two South Division survivors played a schizophrenic game at Sorgenti Arena that ended with Chestnut Hill outlasting University of the Sciences in overtime to snag the fourth and final playoff spot. Gerald Evariste (eight rebounds) had a day to remember, chalking up a career-high 17 points (6-8 FG), including the dunk-and-one with 1:07 remaining that put the Griffins on top for the first time in the extra session after the Devils had forged no fewer than five leads, all to no avail. Edward McWade – who added 10 points and eight rebounds for the winners – sealed the deal by stealing the ball on USciences’ final possession, locking up his team’s trip to North Division champ Bloomfield in next Saturday’s playoff opener. Overtime wasn’t even a remote consideration after the hosts bolted out to a 39-14 lead and extended it to 44-18 shortly after the break following a three from Ryan Griffin (17 points, four assists). But give the Devils their due, as they embarked on a 22-2 uprising to claw within 46-40 on a Sho Da-Silva steal and breakaway slam with 11:01 to go. Chestnut Hill pushed the lead back to 58-48 with 3:35 on the clock, but Sciences closed out regulation with a 13-3 flurry, topped off by a tying triple from Jon McGill (10 points in a reserve role) with 12 seconds showing. McWade had a good look at a potential winning trey at the horn but it was off the mark, necessitating the bonus round. Da-Silva totaled 26 points and eight rebounds in a losing effort, while his brother Flo Da-Silva (five assists) and Will Gregorits each kicked in 11 points. The Griffins were the better shooters on the afternoon (50%-42%). USciences has clinched third place in the South and will play at either Concordia or Post in the playoffs.
ST. ANSELM 102 BENTLEY 83
The marquee game in the Northeast-10 saw St. Anselm blast Bentley in Manchester to avenge an early-season loss and forge a tie for first place in the Northeast Division. All five starters scored in double figures, paced by Harrison Taggart with 21 points (8-9 FG, 5-6 from long range) and 11 rebounds as the Hawks never trailed on the day, jumping out to leads of 17-4 and 37-17 en route to a 46-27 halftime cushion. The Falcons came as close as 73-60 on a free throw by Keegan Hyland (20 points eight boards) with 7:30 to play, but back-to-back Chris Braley lay-ups squelched the momentum as St. A’s increased its lead as much as 101-78 before all was said and done. Mike McCahey recorded 17 of his 19 points in the first half for the winners, who also received solid outings from Tim Guers (17 points, 7-11 FG, six rebounds), Victor Joshua (14 points, six assists) and Braley (12 points, nine caroms). Despite the loss, Bentley boasted a rare double milepost for two of its seniors as Tyler McFarland became the third member of the program’s 2,000-point club with his 19-point outing (3-4 from deep) and Alex Furness ascended the 1,000-point plateau as part of a 17-point effort. McFarland becomes the third regional player this season already to record his 2,000th point, joining Philadelphia’s Peter Alexis and Merrimack’s Gelvis Solano. The Hawks were the superior shooting (58%-41%) and rebounding (44-30) club while also working harder in the paint (46-28). They can clinch the top seed with a win at Southern New Hampshire Tuesday or Bentley home loss to Merrimack. A Bentley win and St. Anselm loss gives the Falcons the division title. If Bentley loses and both St. Anselm and Stonehill win, the Falcons will finish with the three seed as a three-way tie for first between those squads results in St. A’s claiming first, Stonehill second and Bentley third.
STONEHILL 69 SOUTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE 66
Carter Smith’s off-balance 3-pointer with 24 seconds left capped a stellar comeback that lifted third-place Stonehill past Southern New Hampshire at Merkert Gym. The Skyhawks fell into a 34-16 hole and trailed most of the afternoon, including a 54-43 shortfall less than seven minutes into the final frame when a lay-up by Pierce Cumpstone (15 points, 5-7 FG, 10 rebounds, four assists) initiated a 13-1 run that culminated in Isaiah Bess’ go-ahead trifecta with 7:47 remaining, giving the hosts a 56-55 edge. Half a dozen lead changes ensued, including Daquais Andrews’ two foul shots (his only points) with 44 seconds to go that gave the Penmen their last edge at 66-65. After Smith’s big bomb, B.J. Cardarelli (11 points) misfired on a go-ahead trifecta and Ryan Logan (eight points, six assists) closed out the scoring with a free throw at the six-second mark. Stonehill – which received a career-best 19-point (7-10 FG, 5-8 from 3) bench effort from Bess – never allowed SNHU to tie, fouling Andrews with two seconds on the clock (he missed both). Smith – who had been 1-8 from beyond the arc prior to his winning triple – tossed in 12 points for the Skyhawks, who made half of their attempts and 10 of their 11 foul shots. Rodney Sanders was high man for the Penmen with 15 points (3-4 from long distance), with support coming from Chris Walters (13 points, six rebounds) and Devin Gilligan (11, 8). This was the fourth time this semester that Southern New Hampshire has wasted a lead of at least 18 points in a loss. The fourth-place Penmen can aspire to third with a home win over St. Anselm, a Stonehill loss at St. Michael’s and either a St. Anselm win or Bentley loss. Stonehill can take second with a win and Bentley loss.
MERRIMACK 69 FRANKLIN PIERCE 66
Another late 3-pointer resulted in exactly the same score up in North Andover as Merrimack stayed alive with a buzzer-beating triumph over Franklin Pierce. Gelvis Solano’s 30-footer off the dribble from the left sideline was nothing but net at the final horn, less than five seconds after Donte Gittens’ three from the top of the key knotted the count at 66-66. Prior to that, another trey from Solano (13 points, eight rebounds, four assists) put the hosts ahead 66-63 with 1:02 left. That followed a tying lay-up by Gittens (18 points) 40 seconds earlier as the game was a tug-of-wat most of the way, with six representing the largest spread of the second half (the Warriors enjoyed that at 60-54 with less than six minutes to play). Troy Hammel accounted for 16 points and seven rebounds while playing the entire game for Merrimack. Anthony Barry (14 points, 7-11 FG, eight rebounds) and JT Strickland (11 points, four assists) flanked him as the Warriors are now a game behind Franklin Pierce for the fifth and final playoff berth in the Northeast Division. Matt Banton filled it up with 23 bench points for the Ravens, who can punch their postseason ticket with a home win vs. Assumption or Merrimack loss at Bentley. Despite the late fireworks show, both sides struggled from afar (MC 3-15, FPU 5-23).
SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT 83 Le MOYNE 70
The Southwest Division races are still a little muddy, except at the top, where Southern Connecticut held off old NECC foe Le Moyne at Moore Field House to clinch the top seed in the NE-10 tournament. Michael Mallory spearheaded the Owls’ attack with 27 points and five assists, while two of his teammates sported double-doubles: Desmond Williams (20 points, 10 rebounds, five steals) and Austin Carter (13 points, 6-6 FG, 10 boards). The Dolphins led 14-6 at the outset and were only behind by two (36-34) at intermission. Southern – which also received 10 points (5-7 FG) from Stefon Williams – opened up a 59-46 advantage before a 3-ball by Tanner Hyland (17 points, 5-10 from long range in a reserve role) commenced a 10-2 flurry that brought the Fins back within 61-56 with 8:23 remaining. It was still 68-62 inside of the last six minutes before a pair of Mallory tosses jump-started a game-clinching 15-6 run that made it 83-68 with 1:11 to go. Stan Buczek cashed in 17 points (7-10 FG, 2-2 from 3), seven rebounds and career-high six assists for Le Moyne, which needs a win across town at New Haven on Tuesday to qualify for the postseason. The Dolphins could even “Fin”-ish as high as fourth if AIC loses at Adelphi and Pace falls at home to Southern Connecticut.
SAINT ROSE 74 AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL 66
The two-way battle for second place became a little tighter Saturday as surging Saint Rose rallied past American International in Springfield, shooting 67% in the second half to move within a half-game of idle Adelphi. The Golden Knights were outscored 13-3 over the last 3:31 of the first half to fall into a 38-28 hole, and were down 51-44 over six minutes into the final frame before unleashing a 16-2 charge, punctuated by a 4-point play from Pharroh Gordon (11 points on perfect 4-4 shooting, 2-2 from 3 and 1-1 FT), to assume the lead at 60-53 with 9:24 on the clock. The Yellow Jackets stung back with the next seven to draw even before a 3-pointer by Mical-Ryan Boyd (10 points) with 6:10 to play triggered a game-ending 14-6 flourish. Julian Lipinski cranked out 16 points off the bench to lead Saint Rose, which will take second if AIC wins at Adelphi on Tuesday, or remain in third otherwise. Jayvon Pitts-Young led a balanced Jackets attack with 13 points and six rebounds, followed by Cameron Dobbs (12 points, four assists), Trahmier Burrell (12 points, seven boards) and Juwan Moody (11 points, four helpers). The Golden Knights were more accurate from the floor (51%-41%) and from behind the 3-point line (7-13 to 8-31), nailing all seven trifectas in nine tries after intermission, offsetting AIC’s 38-26 rebounding edge (14-3 on the offensive glass) and 21-4 advantage in second-chance scoring. The Yellow Jackets can clinch a playoff spot with a win at Adelphi or loss by either Pace or Le Moyne. They can finish as high as fourth, or out of the playoff picture with a loss and wins by Pace and Le Moyne.
NEW HAVEN 61 PACE 59
The last two teams in the congested Southwest Division have some work to do in order to play postseason ball. At Charger Gym, New Haven shaded Pace to keep its playoff pulse beating. After leading most of the afternoon (the peak was 30-18), the Chargers found themselves behind 53-50 with 2:51 left after an 11-1 Setters run, but Tommy Hunt (nine points) connected on a tying triple that ignited a 9-2 spurt, putting the hosts back in the lead, 59-55 with 1:20 remaining. Pace halved the deficit twice down the stretch, the last instance at 61-59 following a Bryan Rivers lay-up with 10 seconds to go. And they had late life after Hunt missed the front end of a one-and-one, but a Rivers shot to tie was off the mark and after two more missed foul shots with one second on the clock, there simply wasn’t enough time to get a good look. Samir McDaniels registered 14 points (5-7 FG) and 10 rebounds for New Haven, which also landed Joshua Guddemi (12 points), Michael Bourke (11) and Jemal Mosley (11) in double digits. Rivers rang up 22 points while playing all 40 minutes for Pace, and Shelton Mickell chipped in with 14 off the bench in his team’s fourth straight setback. The Chargers – who can make the playoffs with a win over Le Moyne and Pace loss to Southern Connecticut – did more damage at the foul line (17-29 to 6-13) to fortify its effort. Pace could earn a playoff spot with a home win vs. Southern Connecticut and can finish as high as fourth coupled with an AIC loss at Adelphi and Le Moyne loss at New Haven.
POST 83 CONCORDIA 80
Back in the CACC North, Damani Ashton’s tiebreaking 3-pointer with seven seconds to play carried Post past Concordia to snap a four-game slide and clinch a playoff spot in a chippy contest at the Drubner Center that featured eight ties, eight lead changes and an ejection. The Eagles trailed most of the way, including 57-49 with 12-and-a-half minutes on the clock before engineering a 15-3 run, capped by a Tyler Desrosiers trey that put the hosts in front 64-60 with 8:12 left. The Clippers – who were fronted by Peter Aguilar’s 21-point outing – answered with a 13-5 burst, reclaiming the advantage at 73-69 following a Stephen Milhaven three at the 5:19 mark. Post battled back and the game was deadlocked at 80-80 when Ashton (five points) drilled the winning shot. Millhaven – who racked up 20 points and 10 rebounds – had a shot to tie at the buzzer but it wouldn’t fall, making things even tighter for the last home playoff berth, with Concordia currently maintaining a half-game edge. Tamas Okros – Milhaven’s chief competition for CACC Rookie of the Year along with Goldey-Beacom point guard Corey Taite – topped the Post scorecard with a personal-best 28 points (4-6 from downtown Waterbury) and seven rebounds, with Desrosiers also reaching double figures with 21 points and David Seymour offering a solid line of nine points, nine boards and six steals. Andrew Peacock (14 points) and Jalen Heath (13 points, six rebounds) played well in defeat as Concordia could not parlay a major free-throw advantage (18-25 to 4-5) into a victory. The Clippers will finish second if Dominican beats Post on Tuesday or third if the reverse occurs. The Eagles can claim second with a win at Dominican. A loss leaves them in fourth.
NYACK 84 DOMINICAN 76
Nyack is still alive for fourth in the North after snapping a 12-game losing streak against Rockland County rival Dominican in front of a raucous crowd at Bowman Gym. The Warriors led from wire to wire in this one, ripping off a 21-5 spree in widening a 15-10 lead to 36-15 on the way to a 43-29 halftime bulge. The Chargers – who last lost in the series 73-59 on January 19, 2010 in the same building – fought back within five (51-46) nearly eight minutes into the second stanza when a lay-up by Ga’Briel Chandler (10 points, six rebounds off the bench) sparked a key 12-2 spell that boosted the lead back to 63-48 with 8:52 remaining. Again, Dominican made a push, creeping within four points twice in the waning moments; the last time at 77-73 with 44 ticks to go before the Warriors closed the deal by converting 7-8 from the line over the final 40 seconds. Imran Ritchie had the hot hand for Nyack with 25 points (4-4 from 3-point land) and four assists, while two of his teammates – Robert Tyler and Jaron Smith - posted 20 apiece. Travis Cook tallied a career-high 23 points (8-10 FG, 4-6 from 3) and six rebounds in a reserve role for the Chargers, who also received 13 points and four assists off the bench from Altine King, as well as 10 points apiece from Gerrel Irvin (six rebounds) and Kristopher Hargraves. Dominican actually shot better from the floor (50%-44%) and won the glass (35-31) but was outperformed from beyond the arc (9-19 to 6-20) and the stripe (27-33 to 22-34) in a physical game that was hampered by 58 fouls (29 apiece) and 67 free throw attempts. Nyack can crash the playoffs with a win at Bloomfield and a Dominican home loss to Post. Dominican secures third with a win, though a loss, coupled with a Nyack loss, leaves them in fourth.
BLOOMFIELD 80 CALDWELL 57
Nick Davidson led five in double figures with 24 points (8-12 FG) as Bloomfield routed Caldwell at the Newman Center, quashing its Garden State rival’s playoff hopes. A 30-10 second-half blitz was the difference, expanding a modest 50-45 lead to 80-55 in the closing moments. Safee Abdus-Sabur (14 points, 3-3 from long distance), Claude Blue (11 points, seven rebounds), Rakwan Kelly (11, 6) and Nacho Diez (10 points, 3-4 FG) were the key players for the Bears, who will host Chestnut Hill in the first round of the playoffs on Saturday. Bloomfield outshot its hosts overall (52%-34%), from long range (8-16 to 8-20) and from the line (18-23 to 8-11) while dominating the boards (45-25) and claiming 16 of the game’s 20 second-chance points. Their lone blemish was a 20-11 turnover disparity. Dawan Lighty was the bright spot for the Cougars with 14 points (3-5 from 3).
ST. THOMAS AQUINAS 99 DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 74
There’s still a lot to be decided in the East Coast Conference, but the regular-season championship is not one of them as St. Thomas Aquinas clobbered District of Columbia in Washington for its region-best 16th consecutive triumph, good enough to clinch a second straight first-place finish. Twelve of the 13 players scored in this rare Sunday night affair, led by Chaz Watler’s 21-point (8-13 FG, 3-5 from deep) effort. A 13-0 rush in the first half established a 39-23 upper hand and the gap remained in double digits the rest of the way. The Firebirds came as close as 54-44 nearly five minutes into the second half before a Watler lay-up and two foul shots touched off an 18-7 run that effectively put the game away at 72-51 with 8:58 on the clock. The margin maxed out at 30 (99-69) before the final horn as STAC shot 51% from the floor and even better from beyond the arc (11-18 compared to UDC’s 8-20). The Spartans also made its customary killing off turnovers (26-10) and on the break (25-7) along with a 44-28 advantage in the paint. Freshman guard Jonathan Lawton garnered a personal-best 18 points (7-10 FG, 3-3 from deep) and five assists off the bench for the victors, who also received another terrific all-around outing from Justin Reyes (12 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, four steals). Joseph Nickerson procured 16 points and six assists for UDC, which also placed Traevon Butler (13 points, 3-3 from 3, four assists), Erin Senegal (12 points) and Geran Pope (10 points, 12 rebounds off the pine) in twin figures. Despite the loss, the third-place Firebirds clinched a playoff spot and still have a slim chance to finish with the second-place bye. Conversely, they can also finish as low as sixth.
DAEMEN 93 NYIT 68
There were two other ECC games on Sunday. In Buffalo, a 24-6 first-half tear propelled second-place Daemen past New York Institute of Technology as the Wildcats were powered by both ends of the roster spectrum as graduate student transfer Ryan Grandits (8-9 FG, 3-3 from long range) and freshman playmaker Jay Sarkis (6-9 FG, 5-7 from 3) each netted 19 points. Senior swingman Torrence Dyck stuffed the stat sheet with 17 points, 11 rebounds and six assists in becoming the program’s first two-year player in 24 seasons to churn out 1,000 points. The hosts trailed 15-13 early on before the big run put them in control at 37-21 as the Bears came no closer than 12 the remainder of the ballgame; the lead cresting at 82-54 with 7:13 to play. Deion Hamilton pumped in 17 points in just 14 bench minutes for Daemen, which outshot its guests 48%-38%, outgunned them on the break (21-4) and made better use of the foul line (14-16 to 5-9). Jerrel Green collected 19 points and nine rebounds for NYIT, with Khalif Chaplin (18 points, six rebounds, six assists), Kachi Nzerem (17 points, seven boards) and Maksis Uskans (10 points, five assists) also making their presences felt in a losing cause. The Wildcats can clinch the second playoff bye with a win in either of their last two games next weekend. The last two-year Wildcat to attain 1,000 points was Russell John in 1992.
LIU POST 90 ROBERTS WESLEYAN 77
The two highest-scoring individual performances of the weekend occurred in the same game, just down the Thruway at the Voller Center. Jared Hall exploded for a career-high 34 points while adding seven rebounds and four steals as LIU Post rallied to defeat Roberts Wesleyan to secure a playoff berth and keep its hopes afloat for a second-place bye. The Pioneers were on the short end of the stick most of the afternoon, trailing by as many as nine points on three occasions in the first half. The deficit was 63-56 with 12:20 left when a pair of Hall freebies kicked off an 18-5 run that put the visitors on top for good at 74-68. Dillon Burns – who compiled a double-double with 14 points and 10 assists – punctuated the upswing with a trifecta at the 7:41 mark, but the Redhawks got off the mat and inched within 76-74 following two Tyrel Dixon free throws with 4:41 remaining, and, after a stop, had a shot at a go-ahead three that rimmed out. Akosa Maduegbunam (12 points, six rebounds off the bench) then buried a back-breaking trey that doubled the lead and launched a 14-1 run that secured the outcome at 90-75 inside the final minute. Greg Dotson pitched in with 11 points and six rebounds for Post, which can finish anywhere between second and fifth. Dixon was brilliant in his final home game for Roberts, producing 33 points (9-12 FG, 2-2 from deep, 13-16 FT), seven rebounds, five assists and four steals, while Mike Stone chimed in with 15 points of support. The Redhawks shot a shade better from the field (48%-47%), from long distance (8-17 to 8-24) and from the stripe (25-36 to 14-21) but were beaten on the boards 43-29 (16-4 offensive), outscored on second chances (17-6), doubled in the paint (48-24) and punished off turnovers (19-9).
BRIDGEPORT 73 QUEENS 70
Devon Elliott’s 3-pointer with 3.9 seconds to go highlighted a major comeback and lifted Bridgeport past Queens at Hubbell Gym, putting the brakes to a four-game skid in the process. The Purple Knights were behind the 8-ball all day and trailed by as much as 56-39 after a steal and lay-up by Tyree White (24 points, 9-13 FG, four assists, four swipes) with 12:17 on the clock. It was 61-46 past the midway mark of the final period when a Jesse Jones jumper uncorked a 27-9 barrage over the last 9:31, eliminating their guests from the playoff chase. Jones turned in a 19-point (7-11 FG, 3-4 from distance) performance for Bridgeport, but Muahammed Ahmed (15 points) was the defensive star, gathering seven rebounds, five blocked shots and the game-sealing steal on Queens’ inbounds pass with two seconds left. Elliott hit for 11 points and Ernest Rouse 10 for the P-Knights, who can finish anywhere from second to out of the playoffs, though one more win or Dowling loss will clinch a playoff berth. Travis Whitfield and Paul Little (5-6 FG in his first start) both submitted 11 points for the Knights, who were slightly better shooters overall (50%-49%), especially from beyond the arc (6-11 to 5-20), and dished out nearly twice as many assists (18-10) but were bettered at the foul line (18-21 to 8-11), which helped turn the tide in UB’s favor. The game was marred by 40 combined turnovers.
MOLLOY 101 DOWLING 85
Two Long Island teams hoping to crash the playoff party met in Oakdale, with Molloy drubbing Southern State Parkway foe Dowling to keep its chances solvent. Jaylen Morris delivered 25 points (10-12 FG, 3-3 from deep), 10 rebounds and six assists while reaching the 1,000-point plateau as the Lions rode a 22-11 wave out of the halftime break, lengthening a 47-38 lead to 69-49 and never looking back. A Morris jumper with 9:36 to play widened the divide to 82-58, and the hosts never came closer than 14 down the stretch in falling two games back of sixth-place Mercy with three to play (including a crucial home game with the Mavericks). Brandon Williams dropped 24 points (7-11 FG) and doled out four assists for Molloy, which also received strong outings from Charlie Marquardt (18 points) and Kevin Bowles (15 points on 5-7 shooting, 3-4 from 3). Ali Mableton was the top dog for Dowling with 18 points (7-8 FG), followed by Ryan Hickey (15 points, 4-7 from afar), Evan Maxwell (15 points), Chris Millender (13 points, 11 rebounds) and Vincent Abbandola (11 points in reserve duty, 3-6 from distance). The Lions – who outshot their hosts from the floor (59%-44%) and beyond the arc (8-16 to 9-25) – must win their last two games and need lots of outside help to play postseason ball. That would reqire Mercy losing its last three games and Queens dropping one of its remaining two.
ST. MICHAEL’S 96 ASSUMPTION 93 (OT)
Matt Bonds amassed 19 points and 17 rebounds, and Zaire Williams banked in the go-ahead runner with 44 seconds remaining in overtime as St. Michael’s avenged an early-season home loss by slipping past Assumption at Laska Gym. Levi Holmes III – who logged 18 points (7-10 FG, 4-6 from deep) – extended the contest with a tying triple at the seven-second mark, and the Purple Knights had a chance to steal the spoils at the end of regulation after a turnover, but Williams’ 3-point try didn’t fall. In the extra session, there were ties at 85, 89 and 91 before Williams (17 points, six assists) came through with the go-ahead shot and Greg Grippo (14 points) split a pair at the line to make it 94-91 with 14 ticks to go. Kamali Bey – who supplied nine points in a reserve role – converted a lay-up with four seconds on the clock to make it a one-point game again, and Williams was sent to the line with 2.9 seconds left, making good on both of his attempts. Julian Aiken (17 points) had a shot to tie as time expired, but his long three was off the right of the backboard, consigning the Greyhounds to an 11th consecutive setback. Morrell Gaskins tacked on 10 points (8-8 FT) for St. Mike’s, which made 52% of its shots, was more efficient from downtown Worcester (8-17 to 18-42) and made a killing both at the line (26-32 to 9-12) and on the glass (43-24). Tre Owens came alive with 21 points (7-11 FG, 5-9 from 3) for Assumption, which also saw Mat Sulda reach a personal best with 20 points (6-10 from deep) off the pine. Fellow reserve Reilly Reid provided 15 points, six boards and six assists. The Hounds did muster a 28-17 scoring edge off of miscues to stay close.
GOLDEY-BEACOM 78 WILMINGTON 66
Corey Taite busted out for a personal-high 26 points and four assists, while Shakeem Wilson deposited 15 points (3-5 from long range) in leading Goldey-Beacom past Delaware rival Wilmington in Pike Creek in a must-win game that proved moot after Chestnut Hill’s victory eliminated the Lightning for the playoff chase. A 17-9 start out of the halftime break beefed up a 32-25 lead to 49-34, but the Wildcats began chipping away, eventually drawing within 65-63 after a free throw from Sam Sanders (eight points and rebounds off the bench) with 2:58 remaining. That would be as close as the visitors would get, however, as a Taite bucket spun off a 13-3 game-ending surge. Elijah Tillman came up big with 14 points and nine rebounds in a reserve stint for Goldey, which shot 58% over the final 20 minutes and 9-20 overall from beyond the arc. Tyaire Ponzo-Meek fueled Wilmington’s engine as usual with 24 points and five assists. He was supported by Brian Adkins (12 points) and Paul Medlin (11 points, 5-7 FG, seven boards).