For the first time since the NE10 divisional format went into effect in 2013-14, the Southwest Division can claim bragging rights, winning the just-concluded crossover battle by a 30-26 count. And the NE10 is where we begin the big weekend roundup as we go league by league:
STONEHILL 97 SAINT ROSE 71
Ryan Logan led all five starters in double figures with 20 points (9-13 FG) and five assists as Stonehill snapped Saint Rose’s six-game win streak, cruising in North Easton for a season sweep (the first meeting in Albany last month was a non-conference clash). The Skyhawks led 28-27 inside of the seven-minute mark in the first half before Will Moreton (13 points, five steals) splashed back-to-back 3-pointers to launch a 20-4 run and put the hosts ahead 48-31. The Golden Knights – who are now tied for second in the Southwest Division – were within 52-42 just over four minutes into the second stanza when Stonehill unleashed another 20-4 spree to effectively put the game out of reach at 72-46 with 11:33 to play; the lead fluctuating between 21 and 29 points the remainder of the game. K.J. Lee (16 points, six rebounds, five assists), Daniel Largey (11 points, 3-3 FG, five assists) and Isaiah Bess (10 points) also made impacts for the winners, who outshot Saint Rose overall (60%-40%) and from beyond the arc (12-21 to 5-24) while also having their way in the paint (44-26) in moving into a tie for the fifth and final playoff spot in the Northeast Division. Chris Dorgler garnered 17 points (10-10 FT) and seven rebounds to lead the Golden Knights, with support from Australian forwards Julian Lipinsky (16 points on 7-of-11 shooting) and Jack Jones (12 off the bench).
SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT 79 BENTLEY 67
Southern Connecticut regained sole possession of first in the Southwest after holding off Bentley at Moore Fieldhouse, riding the coat-tails of Michael Mallory, who racked up 31 points (12-18 FG) and career high-tying 11 rebounds. An 18-5 burst stretched a 15-14 lead to 33-19 en route to a 40-26 halftime lead, and the gap grew to 66-46 after a Joey Wallace trey with 7:34 left before the Falcons commenced a 17-4 run, drawing within 70-63 after a 3-ball by Zach Gilpin (13 points) with 1:40 remaining. That’s as close as they would get, however, as Jerry Luckett, Jr. (18 points) responded with a dunk seven seconds later and the Owls converted 7-of-8 at the foul line over the last 1:19 to put a bow on it. Wallace finished with 13 points, 10 rebounds and four assists off the bench for Southern, which was the better shooting team (46%-31%), limiting Bentley to an uncharacteristic 24% from the floor in the opening period. Ryan Richmond was high man for the Falcons with 26 points (10-11 FT) and eight rebounds, while Brandon Wheeler added 13 and 15, respectively, as their team now sits in a fifth-place tie. The Owls were great on the break (14-4) but were outscored twice as often off turnovers (14-7).
Le MOYNE 69 FRANKLIN PIERCE 57
Russell Sangster collected 18 points, seven rebounds, four assists, three steals and three charges drawn in leading Le Moyne past Franklin Pierce in Rindge to gain a measure of revenge for last season’s playoff loss, handing its hosts a fifth straight setback. A 12-4 spurt expanded a 37-32 lead to 49-36 just past the midway mark of the second half, but the Ravens rallied within 60-55 after two Matt Banton free throws with 2:41 to go. It was all Dolphins after that as Tanner Hyland (15 points in 18 bench minutes) nailed a left-wing three on the ensuing possession, then added four straight freebies in the waning moments as the Fins closed out the contest with a 9-2 flurry. C.J. Asuncion-Byrd chimed in with 11 points for the victors, who were the more accurate shooters (49%-35%), especially from long distance (7-19 to 4-23), while also fashioning the stronger assist-turnover line (15/7 to 8/12), resulting in a 19-6 edge in mistake points. Le Moyne also dominated the paint (38-22), offsetting shortfalls at the line (15-21 to 8-11), on the glass (36-27), on second chances (14-0) and on the fast break (10-2). Banton topped Franklin Pierce’s scorecard with 17 points and six rebounds, while Donte Gittens (13 points, 5-7 FG) and Mike McDevitt (11 points, eight rebounds) also had solid games in defeat. Le Moyne is tied for second in the Southwest while Franklin Pierce hangs onto fourth in the Northeast.
ST. ANSELM 88 NEW HAVEN 57
Across the Granite State, Tim Guers cashed in another 31 points (11-18 FG, 5-9 from deep) and dished out four assists in spearheading St. Anselm’s sixth straight win – a blowout of New Haven at Stoutenburgh Gym. A 25-6 tear – with the sophomore shooting guard accounting for 12 of the 25 – over the final 6:59 of the first period fattened a modest 22-19 lead to 47-25, and the Chargers never came closer than 18 points over the last 20 minutes. The lead peaked at 88-53 before all was said and done as the Hawks enjoyed a terrific all-around game from Taylor Fortin (22 points, 7-11 FG, 4-7 from 3, eight rebounds, 11 assists) and welcomed back Harrison Taggart (10 points, four helpers) to the lineup. Michael Bourke (14 points), Mihailo Vasic (12) and Kessly Felizor (nine points, 13 rebounds) were the top options for fifth-place New Haven, which was outclassed from the floor (47%-37%), especially from long range (13-32 to 3-20). St. A’s also boasted the far superior assist-turnover ratio (23/8 to 4/18) in gaining sole possession of third place.
SOUTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE 79 PACE 67
The other Manchester team – Southern New Hampshire – pulled away late from upset-minded Pace in Pleasantville to move a full two games ahead of idle Merrimack atop the Northeast Division. Devin Gilligan registered 25 points to pace the Penmen, who trailed the entire first half (though never by more than seven) before seven lead changes materialized after intermission. The Setters – who were fronted by Austin Mofunanya’s 18-point (8-13 FG), nine-rebound outing – led for the last time at 50-49 with 11-and-a-half minutes to play when Chris Walters’ traditional 3-point play put the visitors in the lead for keeps, setting off a 25-13 upswing that gave SNHU a 74-63 advantage with 3:03 on the clock – a lead that never dipped below seven thereafter. Walters compiled 20 points (7-12 FG) and eight rebounds for the Penmen, who also benefited from a career high-tying 12 points by backup sophomore guard Charlie Russo (3-4 from deep) and 11 from Daquaise Andrews. Christian White (17 points, five assists), Ryan Peterson (13 points, six rebounds) and Vinny Dalessandro (11, 7) played well in supporting roles for Pace, which won the glass (42-26, including 17-6 offensive) but turned it over nearly twice as often (17-9) and was doubled up at the stripe (12-13 to 6-9).
ADELPHI 83 ASSUMPTION 73
Austin Beech led a balanced scoring attack with 18 points (7-10 FG) in a reserve role, and Adelphi used a 16-2 second-half jaunt to rally past Assumption at Laska Gym in a battle that saw nine ties and 13 lead changes. The Panthers – who also placed Manny Suarez (17 points, six rebounds), Chris Millender (16, 10, 5-6 FG), Jack Laffey (14 points) and Michael Coffey (13) in twin figures – trailed 48-42 three-and-a-half minutes into the second period and 58-57 before the big turnaround, which culminated in a Laffey lay-up and 73-60 advantage with 5:46 left; the margin bouncing between nine and 14 the rest of the way. Damien Rance was top dog for the Greyhounds with 20 points (3-5 from afar) and nine rebounds, followed by Justin Tuckson (17 off the bench, also 3-5 from 3) and Karl Zeigler (12). Adelphi – which is nestled into fourth in the Southwest – shot at a much higher clip (58%-47%), did more damage inside (48-32), made more free throws (17-23 to 10-13) and pulled down more than twice as many rebounds (39-18), not allowing its hosts a single offensive board. Assumption’s lone statistical advantage was a 16-9 turnover margin.
AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL 83 ST. MICHAEL’S 81
Just down the Mass Pike, the 99th meeting between American International and St. Michael’s since 1935 went right down to the wire, as per the recent trend, with the former squeaking past the latter in Springfield. Juwan Moody’s 15-foot pull-up jumper with 10 seconds remaining was the difference in a game that resembled a blowout (32-13 late in the first, 49-29 early in the second) before the Purple Knights used a 10-0 charge to pull within 56-53 with 10:49 to go. They eventually equalized at 68-68 on a triple by Levi Holmes III (13 points) with 5:56 on the clock, and the game remained air-tight the rest of the way, with David Sullivan’s lay-in at the 33-second stage providing the last tie at 81-81. Holmes had a good look at a potential winning three but it was off the mark, as there was nothing more than four points of separation over the final 7:51. All five Yellow Jackets starters reached double digits in scoring: Jayvon Pitts-Young (22 points), Tahlib Swan (15 points, seven rebounds), Bruce Spruell (14 points, seven assists, five steals), Moody (14 points, 4-8 from 3) and Rasheed Howard (14). Matt Bonds notched 28 points (9-14 FG, 10-11 FT) and 12 rebounds to lead St. Mike’s, which also landed Sullivan (18 of his 19 points in the second half, 6-9 FG) and Zaire Williams (14) in doubles. The P-Knights were the better shooters (49%-46%) and rebounders (37-29) on the afternoon but were punished 23-10 off turnovers and outgunned on the break, 16-4.
QUEENS 91 DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 85
Things are bunching up in the middle of the East Coast Conference, thanks largely to Queens’ big win in the nation’s capital against District of Columbia – its fourth straight triumph. Tyree White totaled 23 points (10-3 FG) and eight rebounds, converting back-to-back lay-ups that sparked a 20-9 spell and transformed a 56-56 tie into a 76-65 lead with 3:56 to play. That provided the 15th and final lead swap as UDC was unable to come closer than six in the closing moments, slipping into a fifth-place tie by day's end. Marquis Roberts and Diego Maldonado each rang up 16 points, and Kyheim Chaplin 14 (all in the second half) off the bench for the Knights, who shot 58% after the break and 51% for the game (UDC was a respectable 45%), while owning the backboards, 42-29. Kasim Chandler (23 points, 11-13 FT) and Khalil Jackson (20 in a reserve role) were the top guns for the Firebirds, the latter adding six rebounds and five blocks to his ledger in a reserve role. Both teams were exceptional from the foul line (QC 23-27, UDC 21-26) but UDC made a killing off turnovers (19-4) to keep things close. Queens is now tied for third place, percentage points behind idle Bridgeport for the coveted second playoff bye.
DAEMEN 82 MERCY 72
Daemen is the other half of the third-place tie after storming back from 17 down to clip Mercy at Westchester Community College for its fourth straight “W.” The Wildcats fell into a 26-9 hole and were still staring at a 51-40 deficit nearly eight minutes into the final frame when a Deion Hamilton lay-up set in motion a 23-3 onslaught that flipped the switch and gave the Cats a 73-64 upper hand with 3:31 left; the margin hovering between six and 10 the rest of the way. Hamilton attained 10 of his 15 points (5-7 FG off the bench) during the big run and was one of five Daemen players in double figures – a list topped by Supreme Hannah (20 points, career-best eight rebounds). Arif Mehmetaj generated 17 points, seven rebounds and personal-best six blocked shots, Jeff Redband offered 11 points (3-4 from downtown Valhalla) and Jaleo Wilkes 10 off the pine (4-5 FG) for the Wildcats, who shot better overall (51%-41%), and from the stripe (13-16 to 8-18), if not from distance (7-18 to 10-25). Ryan Hickey delivered 20 points and distributed four assists for the Mavericks, who also landed Amir Adkins (16 points in reserve duty) and Will Robinson (13 points, seven rebounds in 16 foul-ravaged minutes) in twin figures, though a 22-12 disparity in turnover points hurt their chances, consigning them to a 10th straight setback, and ninth in as many lifetime meetings with their upstate rivals.
MOLLOY 77 ROBERTS WESLEYAN 64
Jaylen Morris exploded for 30 points (12-21 FG) and grabbed eight rebounds to lead Molloy past Roberts Wesleyan at Quealy Gym to tie UDC for fifth (both teams are part of a four-way tie for third in the loss column). An 11-2 surge over the last 4:20 of the half – capped by Michael Guzzardi’s block and lay-up – increased a 27-26 lead to 38-28, then a 10-3 dash late in the second widened a 63-57 advantage to 73-63 with 2:30 remaining as the Lions – who never trailed on the day – crossed the finish line unscathed. Curtis Jenkins recorded 15 points and six rebounds off the bench, while Guzzardi tossed in 14 points (7-9 FG) for the hosts, who were the better rebounders (48-33, leading to a 16-6 edge in second-chance points) and scored more often in the paint (50-30). Manny Joseph tallied 16 points and seven boards for the Redhawks, who also received solid efforts from Malik Dare (14 points), Zack Panebianco (11 points, 3-5 from deep, four assists) and Isaiah Lewis (10 points off the bench), though it wasn’t quite enough to prevent a sixth straight loss. Roberts was much better from beyond the arc (8-16 to 2-17) but 6-of-14 foul shooting hampered its chances.
ST. THOMAS AQUINAS 95 NYIT 74
Ten of 11 players scored and first-place St. Thomas Aquinas thumped New York Institute of Technology in Old Westbury for its seventh straight win. Aaron Cust’s 24-points (10-11 FG) in 25 bench minutes was the Spartans’ top performance on a day in which they never trailed, building a 16-5 bulge at the outset and using a 20-7 run over the last 4:35 of the period in extending a 30-27 lead to 50-34. The gap oscillated between 14 and 21 the entirety of the second half as STAC flexed its collective muscle in the paint (52-36), on the break (16-6) and off turnovers (29-8) to fuel the victory. Chaz Watler stuffed the stat sheet with 16 points, seven rebounds, seven assists and five steals for Aquinas, which also placed Justin Reyes (13 points, 6-8 FG in a rare reserve role) and Shaq McFarlan (12 points) in doubles. Jon Feiler came up big yet again for the Bears with 24 points (10-14 FG) and 13 rebounds. He was supported by Kachi Nzerem (17 points, 7-11 FG, 3-4 from long range) and Arnelle Jones III (10). Oddly, both teams shot better from the field (STA 53%, NYIT 50%) than the foul line (STAC 11-23, NYIT 12-28).
CONCORDIA 80 WILMINGTON 78
The upset of the weekend occurred at the Meyer Center, where Concordia clipped Wilmington, placing all five starters in double figures and using a key 18-5 outburst that transformed a 67-59 deficit with 7:40 to go into a 77-72 lead with 54 seconds on the clock after back-to-back lay-ups by Steven Milhaven (25 points, 14 rebounds). Jalen Heath came through with the big trifecta in the midst of the power run with 2:15 to play, putting the hosts ahead to stay, 73-72. The Wildcats – who were buoyed by Tyaire Ponzo-Meek’s 24 points (5-9 from downtown Bronxville) – came as close as 77-75 after a three by Nick Richards (14 points on 6-of-9 shooting) with 45 ticks left. Cedric McFadden (14 points) was then sent to the line, where he made one of two, giving the Cats late life, but a turnover and two Milhaven foul shots with five seconds remaining sealed their fate, rendering a buzzer-beating 3-ball by Omari Dill-Pettiford (19 points, six boards) a mere footnote. Heath posted 14 points and 12 rebounds for Concordia, which also received solid outings from Elijah Brown (11 points) and Brandon Fields (10). Wilmington – which falls to third place in the South with the defeat – shot a little better from the floor (47%-45%) and scored more often off turnovers (21-13) but was manhandled on the boards (44-31) and on second chances (16-2).
GOLDEY-BEACOM 115 NYACK 74
The other Delaware team continues to rewrite the program record book after hammering Nyack for its record 10th straight win and sixth consecutive road triumph, while matching a team NCAA-era record for points scored. No fewer than six players logged a minimum of 17 points in the wire-to-wire wipeout that featured leads of 18-7 and 34-14 en route to a 52-25 halftime cushion. It only got worse from there as the home side never came within 20 points after intermission, falling behind by as many as 43 before the final horn. Here were the culprits for the South leaders: Riyan Williams (22 points, 9-10 FG, 2-2 from deep), Shakeem Wilson (19 points, 6-9 FG, 3-5 from 3, four assists), Parris Ridgeway-Higgs (18 points, five assists), Corey Taite (18 points, 6-7 FG, 4-4 from afar, eight rebounds), Sameen Swint (18 points off the bench) and Dante Thompson (17 points, 6-8 FG). Robert Tyler chalked up 19 points for the Warriors, who also received 16 apiece from Imran Ritchie and Jaron Smith (five assists in a reserve role). The Lightning converted a blistering 68% of their shots, including 16-of-27 from long range (NC was 44% and 5-24 by comparison). Both teams furnished strong assist-turnover lines (GBC 20/12, NC 17/11). Goldey last hung 115 points on the board on December 13, 2007 vs. Columbia Union (they erupted for 202 vs. now-defunct Allentown Business College during the old JUCO days in 1971). The point total was also the worst Nyack has allowed since joining the NCAA ranks.
PHILADELPHIA 75 DOMINICAN 65
Brandon Kilpatrick’s top-of-the-key three with 2:20 to go triggered an 8-0 game-ending flourish that helped lift Philadelphia past Dominican at the Gallagher Center and into sole possession of second in the South, keeping within a half-step of Goldey-Beacom. A 17-7 run had sliced a 60-48 Rams lead to 67-65 after a lay-up by Gerrel Irvin (18 points off the bench, 8-10 FG) with 2:28 on the clock, setting up Kilpatrick’s big shot, which was part of a 16-point, six-rebound, three-block outing. Andre Gibbs paved the way for Philly U. with 20 points (7-10 FG), with Kylan Guerra (16 points, five assists) and Kaison Randolph (14 points, seven caroms) also reaching double digits, each man playing all 40 minutes, Herb Magee-style. Daniel Grant managed 17 points in a losing effort for Dominican, which did more damage in the paint (42-26) and on second chances (15-5) but was outshot overall (51%-43%), allowed twice as many treys (6-17 to 3-18) and was outworked at the line (21-27 to 10-19) in slipping to third in the North.
USCIENCES 69 CALDWELL 52
Jon McGill produced career highs of 26 points (9-14 FG, 6-8 from deep) and 11 rebounds, nailing a huge 3-pointer with 13:23 to play that touched off a 28-11 blitz and carried University of the Sciences to a runaway victory over Caldwell in North Jersey to claim sole possession of the fourth and final playoff spot in the South. The Devils – who had used a 22-7 run over the last 11:11 of the first half to turn a 14-12 deficit into a 34-21 advantage – saw the Cougars shave it down to 41-37 following an A.J. Kittles lay-up with 13:37 left. After the big barrage, it was USciences in control at 69-48 as the visitors limited Caldwell to frigid 29% shooting on the afternoon (they themselves shot 46%), made twice as many free throws (10-13 to 5-6) and proved extremely more efficient from beyond the arc (9-13 compared to 9-37). Will Gregorits sported 16 points, seven reboujnds and five assists for the Devils, who also received 13 points (3-5 from 3) and five dishes from Brian Okolo. Kittles cranked out a personal-best 18 points off the bench for the fourth-place Cougars, with Zay Jennings pumping in 13.
POST 77 HOLY FAMILY 63
Holy Family is currently on the outside looking in, a game back of crosstown rival USciences for the final playoff berth in the South heading into their Wednesday showdown at the Campus Center. That’s because Post tamed the Tigers at the Drubner Center to annex second in the North. Tyler Desrosiers procured 15 points and seven rebounds for the Eagles, who found themselves ahead 53-45 five minutes into the second half before embarking on an 11-0 upswing – capped by a Matt Mareno lay-up – that opened things up at 64-45 with 13:14 remaining. The margin swung between 12 and 20 the remainder of the ballgame as Post outshot (45%-33%), outrebounded (50-35) and out-assisted (18-7) its guests while also faring better from distance (8-21 to 10-37). Malcolm Amos (14 points, six rebounds), Morris (12 points, 12 boards, four assists) and Joseph Lockwood (10 points, nine rebounds) rounded out the Eagles’ double-digit scorers, while the power duo of Dyllon Hudson-Emory (24 points, seven rebounds) and Randy Bell (17 points) provided the firepower for Holy Family.
FELICIAN 91 CHESTNUT HILL 80 (2 OT)
The longest game of the weekend was also the longest of the season in the East Region as Felician outlasted Chestnut Hill in double overtime at Sorgenti Arena to keep its playoff hopes alive. Bryant Webb supplied all 13 of his points (11-12 FT) in the extra sessions, including six straight freebies in the first OT that wiped out a 71-65 deficit. The hard-luck Griffins – who have now dropped 12 straight – grabbed a 76-73 lead on a Chris Evans triple with 48 seconds to go, but Jamar Redmond (five points, five assists) – who was only shooting 24% from afar all season – drilled the equalizer with 26 seconds on the clock, and the Golden Falcons took control in the second overtime, reeling off eight straight to seize the lead for good at 85-77. Bonus basketball almost never materialized as Felician was up 61-54 with 6:13 to play and 65-63 in the waning seconds of regulation when Demetrius Isaac (21 points, 13-15 FT) was fouled with four ticks left and sank the tying foul shots, extending a game that saw 13 ties, 16 lead changes, 53 fouls and 70 free-throw attempts. Gjaimeir Stanford hit for 25 points in reserve duty for the winners, who also benefited from Terrell Spaulding’s 24 points (7-8 FG, 5-6 from 3) in 23 foul-plagued minutes, as well as Damiun Moore’s 14 bench points. Evans dropped a career-high 25 points and snatched six rebounds for Chestnut Hill, which also placed Liban Awl in twin figures with 15 points (9-10 FT). Felician shot the rock significantly better (50%-36%) and provided more bombs (14-33 to 8-26), helping offset a 38-35 rebounding shortfall.
BLOOMFIELD 83 GEORGIAN COURT 58
The regional team with the widest divisional lead is Bloomfield, which hammered a decimated Georgian Court club in Lakewood for its seventh straight win and a three-game advantage in the standings. Ten of 11 Bears who saw action scored, led by Marcus Fleming (18 points, 8-11 FG, six rebounds), Ahmid Williams (13 points), Nick Davidson (11 points, seven boards, five assists) and Rakwan Kelly (10 points, 13 rebounds). Bloomfield led from stem to stern, bolting out to leads of 13-2 and 42-17 on the way to a 50-27 halftime divide. The lead volleyed between 18 and 29 over the final period as the Bears won the glass (46-33), doubled up on second-chance points (22-11), made three times as many foul shots (12-13 to 4-6) and scored nearly twice as often off turnovers (19-10). Caleb Bowser tabulated 15 points, seven rebounds and four assist for the Lions, who also placed Hamilton Capellan (11 points) and Juwuan Carter (10 points, 11 rebounds, four helpers) in doubles as the losing streak increased to 13.