Thirty-six of the region’s 39 teams took to the courts on Saturday, and there were very few surprises to report. We kick off the big recap with a battle between the CACC’s divisional leaders in North Jersey:
BLOOMFIELD 78 GOLDEY-BEACOM 76
Nick Davidson splashed a contested, game-winning 3-pointer from the deep left wing with half a second left, lifting CACC North leader Bloomfield past South leader Goldey-Beacom in a thriller at the frenzied Den, snapping their guests’ 12-game winning streak and avoiding what would have been a deflating loss. The junior forward racked up 25 points and 13 rebounds for the Bears, who trailed by eight early on, then surged in front 69-58 after two free throws by Nacho Diez (13 points, eight boards) with 6:33 to play before the Lightning unleashed an 18-6 run to reclaim the lead, 76-75 on a lay-up by Rachid Shimou (nine points off the bench) with 58 ticks remaining – its first lead in the second half. The visitors had a chance to tack on following a stop, but Shimou missed two foul shots with 22 seconds to go, setting up Davidson’s hero moment. Rakwan Kelly chipped in with 13 points and five steals for Bloomfield, which also received 10 points from Ahmid Williams. Shakeem Wilson was high man for Goldey with 17 points, followed by Corey Taite (16 points, including two late tying free throws) and Riyan Williams (10 points, seven rebounds). Bloomfield was actually outshot from the field (45%-41%) but made up for the discrepancy with more trips to the line (20-26 to 11-14) and more points off turnovers (20-9). The Lightning - which saw three players foul out - slip into a tie for first with Philadelphia, whereas the Bears march one step closer to another division title.
SAINT ROSE 72 SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT 70
For the second consecutive Saturday in New Haven, Tyler Sayre delivered the game-winning basket in crunch time, connecting with 1.7 seconds on the clock to stun Southern Connecticut and snag second place in the NE-10 Southwest, half a game behind idle Le Moyne. The Golden Knights came out like gangbusters with leads of 10-0 and 39-27 before the Owls rattled off the last six of the first half and first eight of the second to seize the lead, 41-39. Mical-Ryan Boyd (11 points) stanched the bleeding with a game-tying dunk that keyed a 9-0 flurry and restored the lead at 48-41. The two teams battled on, with Southern using an 8-1 spurt to wipe out a 69-62 deficit, tying things up at 70-70 on a pair of Michael Mallory foul shots with 26 seconds on the clock, setting up Sayre’s big bucket. Saint Rose would have to sweat out the final second before celebrating, however, as Isaiah McLeod’s potential game-winning shot from just inside half-court was online but bounced off the front rim as time expired. Julian Lipinsky led a balanced Knights attack with 19 points and nine rebounds. He was supported by Chris Dorgler (17 points, seven rebounds, seven assists) and Sayre (12 points) as the visitors shot much better overall (55%-42%) and handed out nearly twice as many assists (17-9), offsetting the Owls’ more prolific 3-point attack (9-21 to 4-11) and 37-31 rebounding edge, resulting in a 14-5 advantage in second-chance scoring. Mallory (20 points, four assists), McLeod (19 points, 5-10 from deep) and Jerry Luckett, Jr. (12 points, seven rebounds) were the top options for Southern, which slips into third place.
SOUTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE 89 MERRIMACK 79
Chris Walters compiled 26 points (12-13 FT), 14 rebounds, seven assists and two blocked shots as Southern New Hampshire rallied to knock off Merrimack, solidifying its Northeast Division lead and improving to 13-0 at the Field House this year, stretching its region-best home court win streak to 16 dating back to last winter. The Penmen were up 53-45 nearly four minutes into the second half when the Warriors launched an 18-4 attack and zoomed in front 63-57 following a jumper by Troy McLaughlin (14 of his 18 points after the break, 6-9 FG) with 8:56 to play. But it was all SNHU after that as Daquaise Andrews (17 points) answered with a traditional 3-point play and a lay-up to spark a 17-4 counter-run, capped by a Devin Gilligan 3-point bomb that put the hosts on top 74-67 at the 4:07 mark. Merrimack came as close as 77-73 on a Kyle Howes hoop less than a minute later, but a lay-up by Dimitri Floras (12 points, six rebounds, four assists) keyed a 10-3 spurt that put the game away at 87-76 as the hosts nailed eight of eight at the stripe over the final 1:23. Gilligan totaled 24 points (8-9 FG, 3-3 from downtown Manchester) and nine boards for the Penmen, who did more damage at the line (24-29 to 9-11) and dominated the glass (48-27), leading to three times as many second-chance points (24-8). Turnovers were the only blemish (16-8), affording the Warriors a 19-10 scoring boon. Ryan Boulter topped the Merrimack scorecard with 19 points (4-8 from 3), with rookie guards Juvaris Hayes (12 points, 10 assist, personal-best seven steals) and Jaleel Lord (11 points off the bench) also making impacts in a losing effort. Had they won, the Warriors would have held a share of first place with the tiebreaker in hand. Now they are tied for second, two games off the pace.
ST. ANSELM 95 ST. MICHAEL’S 86
Across the river, Harrison Taggart led all five starters in double figures with 29 points (8-14 FG, 4-7 from long range, 9-11 FT) and seven rebounds, and St. Anselm used an 11-0 second-half run to open up an 80-61 lead with 7:51 left before holding off St. Michael’s at Stoutenburgh Gym, annexing a second-place tie in the NE10 Northeast. The Hawks got off to a big start (14-2) and maintained the lead most of the way, although the resilient Purple Knights made things interesting down the stretch, drawing within 91-86 after a lay-up by Thomas Jackson III with 1:05 remaining. Cody Ball answered with a huge lay-up just seven seconds later and Tin Guers (11 points, seven rebounds) closed out the contest with two freebies as the hosts won despite being outshot (52%-47%) and outgunned from beyond the arc (13-26 to 10-24). Chris Braley recorded 19 points (9-14 FG) and eight rebounds for the winners, who also received strong games from Taylor Fortin (14 points, 4-6 from 3, eight assists) and Ball (12 points, four assists, four steals). Jackson – who made nine of his 13 shots and four of six from distance – exploded from off the scouting report with a personal-best 22 points (he had 52 all season heading into the contest), becoming the first Purple Knight to score that many points as a reserve since Ryan Rodrigues hung 22 on Salem International on December 17, 2007. Matt Bonds amassed 21 points (10-16 FG), 13 rebounds and four assists for St. Mike’s, which also benefited from Levi Holmes’ 16-point effort (4-7 from 3) although his team was officially eliminated from the postseason picture. Foul shooting was a key stat in this one: (SAC 21-25, SMC 5-13).
FRANKLIN PIERCE 88 BENTLEY 84
Matt Banton erupted for 18 of his 26 points (9-15 FG, 6-9 from deep) in the second half, including the go-ahead 3-pointer from the right wing with 20 seconds to go, powering fourth-place Franklin Pierce past Bentley in Waltham to avenge a home loss and solidify its playoff position. In a game that saw six ties, 13 lead changes and no more than six points separation in the opening period, the Falcons crafted a 12-0 run spanning the halves to go up 47-40, and increased their lead to 62-53 after a Ferguson Duke trifecta with 13:34 on the clock before Pierce strung together 13 unanswered to move in front 66-62 at the 9:37 mark. A Banton 3-ball expanded the gap to 83-76 with 2:48 to play before Bentley tallied the next eight, edging in front 84-83 on a hoop from Ryan Richmond (17 points) with 47 seconds left, setting up Banton’s big shot. After Richmond missed a potential go-ahead jumper, Banton split a pair at the line with 1.8 seconds remaining. Then, after the hosts threw the ball away on the ensuing inbounds play, Asante Sandiford (five points, seven boards) sank the clinching foul shot. Donte Gittens (8-11 FG, five assists) and Mike McDevitt (1-13 FG, 2-2 from afar) each posted 24 points for the Ravens, who converted 15 of their first 20 attempts in both halves en route to a 61% shooting day (BU was a respectable 45%), including a scorching 12-for-18 beyond the arc (BU was 5-14). Duke spearheaded the Falcons’ attack with a career-high 20 points (7-11 FG, 2-2 from 3) and eight rebounds, with strong support from Matt Barr (16 points) and Brandon Wheeler (15 points, 14 caroms). Bentley – which is now a game off the playoff pace – was better on the boards (37-31, including 14-3 on the offensive end), garnering all 13 of the game’s second-chance points.
STONEHILL 70 ASSUMPTION 67
Stonehill is hanging onto the fifth and final playoff spot after sidestepping Assumption at Laska Gym. Isaiah Bess led a balanced Skyhawks attack with 18 points, and his team led from wire to wire, scoring the first 13 points of the afternoon and keeping their hosts off the scoreboard for nearly eight minutes at the outset. The advantage maxed out at 44-27 following a jumper by Ryan Logan (17 points, four assists) nearly two minutes into the second stanza when the Greyhounds came alive with 13 in a row, pulling within 44-40 after a lay-up by Declan Soukup (10 points, six rebounds, four assists) with 13:35 to go. Stonehill – which also placed Daniel Largey (16 points, 6-9 FG, 3-4 from long range) and KJ Lee (10 points) in double figures – extended its lead to 63-53 inside of four minutes, but the Hounds made a late run, outscoring their guests 14-5 to inch within 68-67 following a Branislav Vujadinovic trey with nine seconds on the clock. Bess was fouled and converted both of his attempts three seconds later, allowing Assumption a shot to tie. Alas, Soukup’s attempt was off the mark, consigning his team to a fourth straight setback. Vujadinovic chalked up 17 of his career-high 22 points (8-13 FG, 4-7 from downtown Worcester) in the second half for the Greyhounds, who also received 11 points and six rebounds from Damien Rance.
PHILADELPHIA 71 CALDWELL 62
Kylan Guerra registered 19 points and Andre Gibbs notched 16 points and seven assists in 40 minutes of court time as Philadelphia rallied from an eight-point halftime deficit to clip Caldwell in the City of Brotherly Love, tying Goldey-Beacom for first in the CACC South. The Rams were trailing 40-33 more than seven minutes into the final frame before initiating a 20-7 charge, culminating in a Gibbs triple that made it 53-47 with 7:23 to play. The Cougars – who were led by Derek Dorn’s 11 points and five assists – came as close as 59-56 on a lay-up by Zay Jennings (six points) with 3:10 left, and were within 66-62 at the 55-second juncture when Kaison Randolph (11 of his 13 points after intermission) delivered the death-blow: a 3-point play to beat the shot clock and seal the deal. Josh Brandanese contributed 11 points (3-5 from 3) in 40 minutes for Philly U., which was the superior shooting team in the second half (56%-36%) and made more noise from long distance (9-22 to 5-15) to aid its cause, neutralizing a 14-7 disparity in second-chance scoring. Vaughn Covington and Eric Johnson-Alford each netted 10 in defeat for Caldwell, which slips into fourth in the CACC North.
POST 78 WILMINGTON 72
Tyler Desrosiers hit for 25 points off the bench (9-13 FG, 6-9 from deep), while Matt Mareno (10 points) snatched a career-high 17 rebounds in leading Post past Wilmington at the Drubner Center to move back into third in the CACC North and drop the Wildcats into third in the South. A Desrosiers three triggered a 22-7 first-half run that flipped a 14-8 deficit into a 30-21 lead with 5:15 remaining. A 10-0 burst to open play in the second lengthened a 39-36 lead to 49-36 before the Cats countered with a 20-9 jaunt to sidle within 57-56 following a lay-up by Masner Beauplan (11 points off the bench) with 9:29 to go. The game remained a tug-of-war the rest of the way, but the Eagles made just enough free throws (5-of-8) over the last 37 seconds to prevail. Joseph Lockwood was one of four Post starters to produce exactly eight points, adding 11 rebounds to his stat line as the hosts won the battle of the backboards (52-40) and accounted for 12 of the game’s 14 assists. Nick Richards generated 23 points (10-18 FG) and 10 rebounds for Wilmington, which also landed Omari Dill-Pettiford (14 points) and Tyaire Ponzo-Meek (10) in twin figures. Both teams shot 40% from the field but the Eagles made more noise from beyond the arc (11-29 to 5-19).
BRIDGEPORT 90 MOLLOY 79
Just down the road on the north coast of the Long Island Sound, Stefano Osuji collected 18 points (7-11 FG) and 11 rebounds, while Kyle Benjamin was a force on both ends of the floor with 18 points (9-15 FG), nine boards and seven blocked shots as Bridgeport won a key game vs. Molloy – its fourth straight – to tie idle Daemen for the coveted second-place bye in the ECC. The Purple Knights used a 7-0 spurt to open up a 57-49 lead midway through the second half, and the margin bounced between five and seven for over four minutes before the hosts fleshed it out to 81-67 after a 3-pointer by Sam Joseph (15 points, four assists) with 6:04 on the clock. The Lions never came closer than nine points down the stretch despite a breakout game by rookie point guard Nick Corbett (29 points, 12-19 FG, four assists). Carlos DeJesus tossed in 17 points for the P-Knights, who were the better shooters (54%-46%), rebounders (43-25) and assisters (24-12) while also draining more threes (11-24 to 5-17) and scoring three times as many second-chance points (21-7). Jaylen Morris procured 15 points for Molloy, which also received 14 points, five assists and six steals from Curtis Jenkins in his first start of the season. Mike Torre added 10 points off the pine for the Lions, who fell to 0-22 vs. Bridgeport al-time at Hubbell Gym - the longest active drought of any regional team at any one venue - and are now tied for fourth.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 108 NYIT 89
For the second straight game, Joseph Nickerson shattered his career high, cranking out 37 points (12-18 FG, 5-7 from long range), nine rebounds and career high-tying six steals, steering District of Columbia to a blowout victory over New York Institute of Technology in Washington and into a fourth-place tie with Molloy. Kasim Chandler also proved unstoppable with 31 points (10-14 FG, 9-10 FT) and four assists for the Firebirds, who led from pillar to post, zooming out to leads of 13-2, 37-16 and 60-31 shortly before the halftime horn. The divide vacillated between 16 and 28 the entirety of the second half, with key contributions also made by Jahkeem Folks (15 points, 4-5 FG, six rebounds in a reserve role), Traveon Butler (10 points) and Khalil Jackson (seven points, six rebounds, four assists, six swats). Jeffrey Hayden sported 23 points (10-17 FG) and eight boards for the Bears, who also landed Jon Feiler (21 points, 11 rebounds), Keiran Hamilton (18 points) and Walter King (16 points, 3-5 from 3, four assists) in double digits. UDC shot better overall (52%-44%), from beyond the arc (8-17 to 7-23) and at the line (30-35 to 14-22). NYIT – which fell for a sixth straight time – won the glass battle (43-37), including 19-8 on the offensive end, leading to a 19-9 second-chance scoring edge.
ST. THOMAS AQUINAS 85 QUEENS 69
St. Thomas Aquinas remains atop the table in the ECC after upending sixth-place Queens at Fitzgerald Gym. Justin Reyes accumulated 24 points (10-13 FG, 2-2 from deep), seven rebounds and six assists for the Spartans, who used a 21-6 spell to transform an 18-13 deficit into a 34-24 lead with 6:44 to play in the half. The Knights trimmed the deficit to 50-42 just over two minutes into the final frame when a lay-up from Jules de Courtenay (11 points, 5-6 FG) touched off a 26-13 run that beefed up the lead to 76-55 with 9:22 left; the margin never dipping below 16 the remainder of the ballgame. Aaron Cust (16 points) and Chaz Watler (15 points, five assists) added quality depth for STAC, which was the more accurate shooting team (52%-39%), especially from downtown Flushing (9-21 to 9-28), while also dominating in the paint (36-20) and off turnovers (35-11). Diego Maldonado drove home 14 points for Queens, which also benefited from Kyheim Chaplin (12 off the bench) and Tyree White (10 points, eight rebounds) as their squad proved better on the boards (36-32) and made twice as many foul shots (20-26 to 10-16).
LIU POST 80 ROBERTS WESLEYAN 74
Don’t look now but LIU Post is charging hard for that final playoff spot, turning aside Roberts Wesleyan in Rochester for its third straight triumph and pulling within a game of Queens in the loss column. Jared Hall turned in a 25-point, nine-rebound, four-assist performance for the Pioneers, who got off to a rough start (down 15-6) and trailed most of the half until a 12-2 flourish over the last 3:20 of the period – capped by a Hall hoop – gave them their first lead at 36-34. The game remained tight throughout the final 20 minutes, and the score was deadlocked at 59-59 after a Quinn Carey trey with 5:55 remaining before Hall was fouled and made two freebies to kick-start a game-defining 10-2 spurt that gave LIU Post a 69-61 lead with 3:30 to go. The Redhawks – who were fronted by Isaiah Lewis’ 23 points (4-8 from deep) and five assists – drew within four twice in the waning moments but Jemal Mosley (12 points) salted it away with four straight foul shots in the last 23 seconds. Kyle McLeggan provided 14 points (4-6 from 3) and Aary Bibens 13 (3-4 from afar) off the bench for the victors, who got to the line more often (16-24 to 9-9), helping offset a 39-32 rebounding shortfall. Manny Joseph came up big with 18 points (7-12 FG), 13 rebounds and four assists for Roberts, which also saw Carey drop a dozen in his team’s 10th straight defeat.
ADELPHI 85 NEW HAVEN 81
Michael Coffey cashed in 25 points (8-11 FG, 4-6 from beyond the arc) and Jack Laffey 23 while playing all 40 minutes as Adelphi edged out New Haven at the Center for Recreation and Sport, clinching at least fourth in the NE10 Southwest. After falling behind 21-12 at the outset, the Panthers pounced with a 21-6 upswing that put them in control at 33-27 after a Conor McGuinness lay-up with 2:10 on the clock. The game was a tug-of-war after intermission with seven ties, 14 lead swaps and nothing more than a two-possession spread. The hosts were clinging to a 77-75 lead inside of the two-minute warning when Laffey split a pair at the stripe, blocked a shot and converted two more tosses in boosting the lead to 80-75 with 54 seconds left. The Chargers – who placed five in twin figures – were never able to get within three in the closing seconds despite owning the paint (46-26) and claiming all nine of the game’s second-chance points. McGuinness dispensed 15 points (5-7 FG, 3-3 from 3) and seven assists while playing the entire game for the Panthers, who also received eight points apiece from Manny Suarez (11 rebounds, four rejections) and Chris Millender (12 boards). Mihailo Vasic attained 18 of his career-best 24 points in the second half while snagging six rebounds for New Haven, which can clinch a playoff berth with a win or American International loss but finish no better than fifth place. Danny Upchurch (15 points, 9-11 FT, six rebounds, eight assists off the bench), Kessly Felizor (11 points, seven rebounds) and Roy Kane, Jr. (10 points) served as a fine supporting cast for the Chargers, who forced nearly twice as many turnovers (17-9). Adelphi – which is still barely alive for a third-place bye – shot it better from the field (52%-47%) and from the arc (12-25 to 6-15), while faring far better at the foul line (23-31 to 5-7).
FELICIAN 80 HOLY FAMILY 77
Another tight finish occurred in Rutherford as Felician dealt a blow to Holy Family’s CACC playoff hopes while keeping its own postseason aspirations alive. Terrell Spaulding carried the load once more for the Golden Falcons with 25 points (9-16 FG) and 15 rebounds, including a critical offensive rebound and two foul shots with 16 seconds remaining that gave the hosts a 78-75 lead. Randy Bell – who had the hot hand for the Tigers with 24 points and six boards – was fouled attempting a tying trifecta with three seconds on the clock and made the first two before missing the third (he was just 6-of-12 at the line). Jamar Redmond snared the rebound and was fouled with just 0.2 seconds showing and closed out the scoring at the stripe as Felician moved within a game-and-a-half of the final playoff spot in the North. Gjaimeir Stanford accounted for 13 points (3-6 from long range) and four assists off the bench for the winners, who also received solid efforts from Bryant Webb (11, 4) and Kennedy Chukwuocha (10 points). Ryan Corcoran had the touch from the outside for Holy Family with a personal-best 16 points on 5-of-10 shooting from beyond the arc, while Dyllon Hudson-Emory pitched in with 14 points and four helpers but struggled mightily from the floor (4-18). The first half was a streaky affair with the Golden Falcons using a 16-2 dash to gain control at 36-28 following a Webb trey with 3:09 to go. Neither club could open up more than a two-possession differential in the second stanza as Holy Family fell a game behind University of the Sciences for the final playoff berth in the South.
UNIVERSITY OF THE SCIENCES 72 NYACK 57
University of the Sciences seized control of its own destiny after defeating Nyack at Morgan Arena to move a game ahead of Holy Family with two to play. The Devils led this one from stem to stern, bolting out to leads of 16-5 and 26-11 en route to a 37-23 halftime cushion. The Warriors – who were paced by two reserves: Robert Tyler’s 14 points and Shawn Witherspoon’s 12 (5-6 FG) – came as close as 43-35 with 13-and-a-half minutes to play – but a 3-pointer from Brian Okolo (his fourth in seven tries as part of a 15-point day) commenced a 17-6 burst that effectively put the game on ice at 60-41 with 8:31 left; the margin hovering between 13 and 17 the rest of the way as Nyack fell for a sixth straight time. Jon McGill supplied 16 points and nine rebounds for USciences, which also placed Beni Toure (13 points, nine rebounds, seven offensive) and Flo Da-Silva (12 points) in doubles. Both teams shot at a decent clip (US 51%, NC 48%) but the Devils were more efficient from afar (6-13 to 5-19) and dominated the glass (29-16, including 14-4 offensive), helping feed a 20-4 second-chance scoring advantage.
CONCORDIA 100 CHESTNUT HILL 81
Across town at Sorgenti Arena, Concordia also kept its playoff hopes afloat after pulling away from Chestnut Hill and receiving big production from several precincts along the way, led by Chris Milhaven’s 26 points (10-17 FG, 3-5 from distance) and 10 rebounds. The Clippers – who are a game behind Caldwell for fourth in the North – never trailed on the day, busting out of the gate with a 14-4 lead that grew to 33-17 before the Griffins closed out the half with a 28-12 uprising – punctuated by a Nasir Bell triple – to draw even at 45-45. The game was knotted up for the third and final time at 66-66 inside of the 12-minute mark when Cedric McFadden (18 points, four assists) banged a three to set in motion a 24-5 tear that opened up a 90-71 bulge with 4:14 left, leaving no doubt to the final outcome. Elijah Brown (18 points, 9-10 FT, 10 rebounds), Brandon Fields (personal-best 13 points, 3-5 from downtown Philly), Justyn Gardner (11 points in 13 bench minutes, plus six rebounds) and Jalen Heath (eight points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists) all had a hand in the victory as the Clippers outshot (48%-39%) and outrebounded (48-36) their hosts while also dominating in the paint (45-28) and at the line (30-35 to 11-12). Liban Awl topped the Chestnut Hill scorecard with 18 points and seven boards, followed by Bell (personal-best 17 points, six rebounds), Bryant Quill (17, 7 off the bench) and Demetrius Isaac (12 points, 2-2 from 3, five assists in a reserve role), though it wasn’t enough to prevent a ninth consecutive home loss. Both teams boasted strong assist-turnover ratios (CC 19/12, CHC 21/9).
DOMINICAN 82 GEORGIAN COURT 52
Travis Cook led five scorers in double figures with 16 points (6-7 FG, 3-5 from long range) as Dominican hammered Georgian Court in Lakewood to solidify its second-place standing in the CACC North. A 9-2 spree over the final 2:51 of the first half enhanced a 30-25 lead to 39-27. Then, a 13-2 run early in the second half fattened a 44-32 advantage to 57-33 and the rout was on; the margin maxing out at 73-42 at the 7:10 mark. Daraja Rodwell finished with 15 points (4-7 from deep) and four steals for the Chargers, who also landed Gerrel Irvin (14 points), Daniel Grant (10 points, five assists) and Ray Pender (10 points off the bench) in double digits. Dominican was more prolific from beyond the arc (9-27 to 4-13) and in the paint (26-12) while feasting off turnovers to the tune of 35-9 (DC committed only eight to GCU’s 22). They also accounted for 13 of the game’s 17 steals, and despite losing the rebound battle 35-32, managed to outscore their hosts 17-7 on second chances. Nikola Vujovic’s 13 points were the lone bright spot for the Lions, who have dropped a region-worst 17 in a row.
*** The CACC crossover schedule is now complete, and the South just edged the North by a 25-24 count this season. ***
AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL 78 PACE 69
Jayvon Pitts-Young rang up half of his 24 points at the foul line (12-13 FT), outperforming the opposing team collectively (7-8) as American International kept its faint postseason chances alive with a victory over Pace at Butova Gym. A 15-2 run early in the second half was the difference in this one, snapping a 36-36 tie and giving the Yellow Jackets a 51-38 lead following a Pitts-Young bucket with 14:48 remaining. The Setters hung around and closed within 65-63 at the 5:25 juncture, but the Jackets answered with the next five points – all at the line – to push the lead back to 70-63 as they nailed 13 of 15 freebies over the last 4:47 as part of a 30-34 day at the stripe. Rasheed Howard – who instigated the big run with a traditional 3-point play – double-doubled with 13 points and 11 boards, while Kassim Kaba (4-of-8 shooting from downtown Springfield) and Justin Daniel each tacked on a dozen, the latter in a reserve capacity. Austin Mofunanya logged 17 points (7-10 FG) and nine rebounds for the Setters, with Peyton Wejnert (16 points, 7-9 FG off the bench), Ryan Peterson (13 points) and Christian White (13 points, six assists, four steals) flanking him, although the latter two combined to go 10-for-36 (6-of-21 from 3). Pace actually shot the rock better (44%-38%) and scored twice as often in the paint (40-20) but could not overcome a 42-28 rebounding shortfall and the vast foul-shooting disparity.