The regular season is officially over, and the NE10 Tournament quarterfinals take center stage as we dial up the latest weekend recap, beginning with the first “upset” of the postseason:
BENTLEY 68 SAINT ROSE 65
Ryan Richmond scored 21 points (9-14 FG) and Zach Gilpin 19 to lead Bentley past Saint Rose at Nolan Gym for its fourth straight win and a spot in the NE10 Tournament semifinals. The Falcons – who also received 11 points and six rebounds from Chris Hudson – trailed 52-45 with 12:49 to play in the second half, following a traditional 3-point play by Julian Lipinsky (17 points, 7-11 FG). That was the only juncture in the game when the two teams were separated by more than two possessions. The Golden Knights were still ahead 63-58 inside the five-minute mark before the visitors ended the game with a 10-2 flourish, getting the go-ahead right-wing jumper from Brandon Wheeler (six points) with 2:14 left – the 11th and final lead change of the afternoon. Hudson’s two foul shots with nine seconds remaining closed out the scoring as Shane Herrity (six points) missed a potential tying 3-pointer wide at the buzzer. Mical-Ryan Boyd tallied 19 points for Saint Rose, which now awaits a likely NCAA Tournament at-large bid. Like the score, the statistics were very close in this one, including overall shooting (BU 50%, CSR 48%) and rebounding (CSR 31-28). Bentley – which will now play at St. Anselm on Wednesday – made more trips to the foul line (8-11 to 2-4) and outscored its hosts 21-10 off turnovers.
Le MOYNE 99 STONEHILL 60
Across the Thruway in Syracuse, Isaiah Eisendorf led six in double figures with 22 points (9-10 FG, 2-2 from long range) as Le Moyne blasted Stonehill for its most lopsided postseason win, shooting a program-record 73.2% (77.4% in the second half) and converting an absurd 94% (33-of-35) inside the arc (19-for-19 after the break). There was no sign of such a lopsided final early on as the Skyhawks established four early 7-point leads, the last being 17-10, before the Dolphins embarked on a 24-4 run, capped by a Robert Jones III transition lay-up to seize the lead for good at 34-21. The visitors hung tough, however, shaving their deficit to 42-41 just over a minute into the final period on a Dan Largey 3-pointer, but Russell Sangster (14 points on 7-of-8 shooting) hit a fall-away jumper to beat the shot clock, triggering a colossal 53-15 blitz that put the game on ice 95-56 with 2:03 to go. Tom Brown logged 14 points (6-6 FG, 2-2 from deep) for the Phins, who also received 10 points apiece from Jones, Tyquan Rolon (3-4 FG, five assists) and Tanner Hyland (4-5 FG), the latter two in reserve roles. Largey topped the Stonehill scoresheet with 17 points (4-7 from 3), followed by Will Moreton (15 points), Brandon Twitty (14) and Joel Berroa (12 points, eight rebounds in his final game). The Skyhawks shot just 38% from the field and were dominated 54-18 in the paint. Le Moyne – which will host Merrimack in Wednesday’s semifinals – fashioned a spectacular 22/6 assist-turnover ratio (SC was a solid 13/11) and scored more often off mistakes (19-5), as well as on the break (14-0).
ST. ANSELM 93 SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT 86
Free throws from freshly-minted NE10 Player of the Year Tim Guers bookended a critical 8-0 spurt in the closing minutes as St. Anselm pulled away from Southern Connecticut at Stoutenburgh Gym to punch its ticket into the semis. The Hawks were clinging to an 84-82 lead following a Taurus Adams II lay-up with 4:23 to play before unleashing its run, opening up a 92-82 advantage with 22 seconds on the clock and cementing the result. Chris Paul paced St. A’s with 25 points (9-12 FG) and seven rebounds, with both junior guards Guers (nine assists) and Cody Ball tossing in 19 points apiece, and Taylor Fortin collecting 16 points, seven rebounds and six helpers. The Owls – who were spearheaded by the inside-outside combo of Isaiah McLeod (31 points on 13-of-21 shooting) and Jerry Luckett, Jr. (22 points, eight rebounds in his collegiate finale) – used a 16-5 spell to erase a 42-32 deficit and take a 48-47 lead into the locker room. They extended it to 53-49 nearly two minutes into the second before the lead changed hands five times over a 1:03 stretch and the hosts pulled in front for good. Jesper Sandager (4-6 FG, 3-5 from downtown Manchester) and Adams (seven rebounds) each netted 11 points off the bench for Southern, which won the glass (37-31) but was outworked at the line (27-39 to 12-13) and punished 21-9 off of turnovers. Both teams shot it well (SAC 52%, SCSU 51%) and boasted positive assist-turnover ratios (SAC 22/9, SCSU 19/12). The Hawks will host Bentley in Wednesday’s semi.
MERRIMACK 75 NEW HAVEN 59
Down the road in North Andover, Merrimack upended New Haven to avenge a first-round tourney drubbing last season on its same home floor, keeping its season alive and earning a semifinal date at Le Moyne on Wednesday. A close game most of the way, the Warriors found themselves ahead 52-45 just past the midway mark of the second period when Ryan Boulter (17 points) bookended a crucial 19-6 run with 3-point bombs as the lead ballooned to 71-51 with 3:51 left, essentially ending all remaining doubt. Kyle Howes recorded 11 of his 13 points (3-4 from long distance) after halftime for the victors, who also received strong games from Juvaris Hayes (11 points, 15 assists, five steals) and Tawayne Anderson, Jr. (10 points). Elijah Bailey was high man for the Chargers with 19 points (9-10 FT) and seven rebounds, while Roy Kane, Jr. (12 points) and Kessly Felizor (all 11 points in the second half, 4-5 FG, eight rebounds) provided scoring depth in a losing effort. New Haven was stronger on the backboards (36-25) but lost the game from the 3-point line (0-14 compared to MC’s 14-28) as well as the foul line (MC 17-20, UNH 7-7). The Chargers sit squarely on the bubble and will await an NCAA decision on their NCAA fate.
LIU POST 86 ROBERTS WESLEYAN 80
The ECC concluded its regular season on Sunday, crystalizing the playoff picture. LIU Post held off fading Roberts Wesleyan at the Pratt Center to snag fourth place and the final home playoff berth that accompanies it. Jared Rivers came alive with 30 points (11-19 FG, 5-10 from beyond the arc) and dished out four assists for the Pioneers, who snapped a four-game slide with the result, jumping out to a 34-17 lead and stretching it to 54-34 just over three minutes into the final frame. They still held the upper hand at 64-49 with just over 11 minutes to go when the Redhawks began to percolate, engineering a 15-4 run and closing within 68-64 following a 3-pointer by Brad Williams (seven points off the bench) with 6:35 on the clock. They came within four points two other times in the waning moments but could never make it a one-possession affair as Darien Jenkins (12 points, six rebounds in a reserve role) finalized the scoring with two foul shots at the four-second mark. Kyle Doucette (12 rebounds) and Kyle McLeggan (six boards, 3-4 from afar) each dropped a dozen for Post, which was the superior shooting (46%-37%) and rebounding (47-37) team, offsetting a foul line disparity (RWC 21-26, LIUP 11-15). Gintaras Bartaskis fronted the Roberts attack with 16 points off the bench. He was flanked by Manny Joseph (14), Isaiah Lewis (13) and Michael Bush (10 points, eight boards, five assists, four steals), though it wasn’t enough to prevent a seventh consecutive setback. The Redhawks slip into a three-way tie for fifth, garnering the six seed in the upcoming tournament and a date with Western New York rival Daemen in Amherst on Wednesday. LIU Post hosts fellow Long Island foe Molloy in the 4-5 game.
MOLLOY 83 MERCY 61
Molloy not only made the playoffs on the final day, it grabbed the five seed thanks to a wire-to-wire rout of Mercy in Rockville Centre. Curtis Jenkins paved the way for the Lions with 24 points (8-14 FG, 3-5 from deep), 12 rebounds and six assists, while Mike Torre (16 points, nine rebounds), Nick Corbett (12 points, seven boards, four assists) and Josh Dennis (10 points, nine rebounds) played vital roles as well. Molloy was ahead 36-28 just over a minute into the final frame before pulling away, using a 24-12 charge to open up a 60-40 advantage; the lead bouncing between 17 and 27 over the final 9:15. Marko Kozul registered 15 points and seven rebounds in his final collegiate game for the Mavericks, who also received 10 points off the bench from Dequawne Richards. The Mavs shot 35% from the floor (compared to 44% for Molloy), were drubbed on the glass (52-37) and wound up dropping their last six league tilts. Still, the team improved from two wins to 10 this season under first-year coach Michael Maczko. The Lions will play at nearby LIU Post in the ECC Tournament’s 4-5 game on Wednesday.
BRIDGEPORT 114 QUEENS 85
Thirteen of 14 players scored field goals and six reached double figures for #17 Bridgeport, which hammered Queens at Fitzgerald Gym for its 15th consecutive triumph, crushing the Knights’ hopes for a playoff appearance as they fall just short of the postseason due to an unfavorable tiebreaker (1-3 in a mini-conference due to a sweep at the hands of Molloy). The Purple Knights – who reached the century mark for the eighth time this winter – trailed just once (2-0) before sprinting out to a 29-14 advantage. A 29-11 surge out of the halftime break expanded a 48-37 lead to 77-48 and the proverbial horse was out of the barn as the margin hovered between 24 and 33 the last 16:18. Bakary Camara (5-7 FG, eight rebounds) and Sharif Cobb (4-5 FG, 3-4 from 3) led the balanced Purple Knights attack with 14 points apiece, while D’vonne Trumbo (12 points, 2-2 from distance, 11 assists), Sam Joseph (12 points), Marc Campbell (12 points, 5-7 FG, six rebounds) and Yasir Lawrence (11 off the bench, 3-5 from downtown Flushing) all made their presences felt. Simon Green closed out his career with a bang, chalking up 28 points (10-12 FT) and six rebounds for Queens, which also landed Isaac Grant (12 points), Elijah Bovell (11) and Tyrone Hall (10) in twin figures. Bridgeport shot at a much higher clip (56%-37%), especially from beyond the arc (13-24 to 7-23) while dishing out more than twice as many assists (21-9). The P-Knights locked up the #1 seed in the tournament and will play the winner of the LIU Post-Molloy game in the semifinals Saturday in Rochester.
ST. THOMAS AQUINAS 79 DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 72
By virtue of a coin flip. St. Thomas Aquinas earned the two-seed and second tournament bye after withstanding a challenge by District of Columbia in Sparkill. The Spartans sprung out of the gate with a 22-9 lead but UDC hung in, pulling within 57-54 inside of the final nine minutes before Justin Reyes slammed one home to spark a 13-2 run and give the hosts their largest lead at 70-56 with 4:28 to play. Back came the Firebirds, however, orchestrating a 16-5 counter-run and narrowing the gap to one possession (75-72) on a Quadire Truesdale “And-1” with 14 seconds left. James Mitchell (21 points, six assists) knocked down a pair of free throws one second later, and Peter Alkins (career-high 14 points off the bench, 5-7 FG) did the same after a UDC miss to close it out. Reyes posted 18 points, seven rebounds and two blocked shots for STAC, while Truesdale (20 points, 7-10 FG, 3-4 from long range), Maurice Waters (12 points), Paul Eromosele (11 points off the pine, 3-4 from deep) and Kevin Cox (10) provided scoring depth in defeat. The shooting (UDC 46%, STAC 45%) and rebounding (34-34) numbers were virtual dead heats, with the Firebirds shooting at a higher clip from 3-point land (8-15 to 8-24).
DAEMEN 92 NYIT 68
Jay Sarkis matched his career highs with 24 points (8-13 FG, 6-9 from 3) and six rebounds while also distributing four assists, leading Daemen past New York Institute of Technology at Recreation Hall for its seventh straight win and 16th in 17 outings. Jeff Redband pumped in 18 points (4-7 from downtown Old Westbury) for the Wildcats, who led from start to finish in this one, constructing leads of 15-2 and 38-19 before settling for a 43-33 halftime cushion. The Bears – who were powered by Jeffrey Hayden’s 29-point, nine-rebound performance – came within 66-59 on a Hayden lay-in at the 9:42 juncture, but the visitors crafted a 21-5 tear, culminating in a Redband lay-up, to pull away 87-64 with 3:35 remaining. Breon Harris totaled 14 points and four assists for Daemen, which made 52% of its shots and also placed Andrew Sischo (12 points, nine rebounds) and Aleks Miljenovic (11 points off the bench, 5-7 FG) in double digits. Domonic Josephs submitted 10 points and eight rebounds in his final collegiate contest for NYIT, which was outclassed from beyond the arc (13-27 to 4-14). Both teams struggled from the stripe (DC 9-18, NYIT 2-5), though it had no bearing on the outcome. The Wildcats host longtime rival Roberts Wesleyan in Wednesday’s 3-6 game.
CALDWELL 77 BLOOMFIELD 75
Rivalry Saturday in the CACC produced a couple of notable results as the playoff field has solidified. In North Jersey, Vaughn Covington splashed the go-ahead 3-pointer with 2:13 to go and Caldwell held off Bloomfield for its fifth straight – and most impressive – win. The Cougars – who received 20 points (6-10 from afar) from Zay Jennings – enjoyed a 22-10 lead at the outset and were still on top 59-51 inside the 11-minute mark of the second when the Bears set in motion a 15-2 upswing, grabbing a 66-61 advantage after two Nick Davidson free throws with 6:12 on the clock. Their lead was 73-69 with two-and-a-half minutes to play when the hosts closed out the contest with an 8-2 spurt. Thomas Elliott-Smith split a pair at the line with 20 ticks left to top off the scoring as Bloomfield missed twice on its final possession, first on a contested lay-up by Rakwan Kelly (13 points) and then – after Kelly’s offensive rebound – a 3-point attempt for the win by Dontay Julius (his only shot attempt on the day). Derek Dorn garnered 17 points for Caldwell, which also landed Eric Johnson-Alford (14 points, 6-7 FG) and Covington (10 off the bench) in doubles. Keith Washington sported 22 points (4-6 from distance) and eight rebounds for the Bears, with Davidson (19 points, 9-10 FT, eight boards) and Nacho Diez (14 points, six rebounds, four assists in reserve duty) also playing key roles, albeit in a losing effort. Both teams shot an identical 25-of-62 from the floor but Bloomfield owned the glass (50-28, including 20-9 on the offensive end) and Caldwell took much better care of the ball (seven turnovers to 17). The Cougars – who finished tied for second in the North but earned the 3 seed – open their tournament run at Jefferson on Tuesday. North Division champ Bloomfield hosts USciences.
NYACK 76 DOMINICAN 62
Imran Ritchie capped his fine career with 23 points (8-13 FG) and five assists, guiding Nyack past Dominican at Bowman Gym. Shawn Witherspoon (13 points, 2-2 from deep, six rebounds), Rashard Lewis (12, 7 in his final game) and Carl Balthazar (seven points, 12 boards, three blocks) were strong in support for the Warriors, who led from pillar to post, jumping out to leads of 7-0 and 33-18 before the Chargers battled back, drawing within 50-43 with just over nine minutes to play before the hosts took command with a 23-10 burst, capped by back-to-back Lewis triples, in opening up a 73-53 advantage with 2:12 on the clock, sending the home crowd happy. Daniel Grant was the lone bright spot for Dominican with 15 points and six rebounds as his team was outshot (47%-34%), doubled up from long range (8-21 to 4-16) and outmuscled on the boards (49-35). The lone blemish on the day for Nyack was a 17-10 turnover disparity. Despite the defeat, Dominican earned the second seed by virtue of a sweep vs. Caldwell and will host Wilmington in the CACC quarterfinals on Tuesday.
GOLDEY-BEACOM 79 WILMINGTON 71
Corey Taite hit for 22 points (8-14 FG) and doled out four assists in leading South Division champion Goldey-Beacom past Delaware rival Wilmington in Newark to avenge a December home loss. Dante Thompson notched 16 points (7-10 FG) and seven rebounds for the Lightning, which also benefited from Marcellus Livingston’s 16-point, six-rebound outing (15 of the points coming before intermission). Goldey trailed a good chunk of the contest, including 67-62 within the last eight minutes before clamping down and outscoring the Wildcats 17-4 over the final 7:33 to prevail. Jermaine Head compiled 23 points, seven rebounds and five assists for the Cats, who shot just 29% over the last 20 minutes and 1-for-10 with four turnovers down the stretch. Miles Gillette (20 points, 10 rebounds) and Nick Richards (10 points) also made impacts for Wilmington, which will play at Dominican in Tuesday’s playoff opener, while Goldey-Beacom hosts Felician.
JEFFERSON 81 HOLY FAMILY 57
A 52-25 second half lifted Jefferson past cross-Philly rival Holy Family at the Gallagher Center to snap a four-game slide and lock up second in the South. Alexander Gorton fueled the Rams with a career-best 29 points (7-12 from deep), though he received plenty of support from teammates Kaison Randolph (18 points, seven rebounds, seven assists), Josh Brandanese (11 points, seven caroms) and Kylan Guerra (eight points, nine rebounds, career high-tying 10 helpers). Jefferson led 20-10 before the Tigers commenced a 22-9 run over the last 8:31 of the half to grab a 32-29 advantage. After a Terrell Jones lay-up to open the second stanza lengthened the margin to five, Randolph knocked down a trifecta to launch a game-defining 32-10 spree, putting the hosts in the driver’s seat at 61-44 with 7:44 remaining; the margin cresting at 26 (81-55) in the final minute. Maliq Sanders drove home 18 points for Holy Family, which also received 14 points apiece from Jones and Michael Power (2-2 from 3). The Rams – who will host Caldwell in Tuesday’s CACC quarterfinals – shot at a higher clip overall (46%-33%), made twice as many threes (14-34 to 7-20) and won the glass battle (46-34) while manufacturing the vastly superior assist-turnover ratio (22/9 to 5/14).
SCIENCES 73 CHESTNUT HILL 70
Across town, Will Gregorits racked up 17 points (8-14 FG) and 10 rebounds to lead University of the Sciences past Chestnut Hill on the road in its tune-up prior to the playoffs. Flo Da-Silva added 16 points for the Devils, including a 3-pointer that touched off a 17-2 first-half run, flipping a 24-20 deficit into a 37-26 lead with five minutes to go. The lead peaked at 57-45 five minutes into the second half and was 71-60 with five minutes to play when the Griffins rattled off 10 unanswered, sidling within 71-70 on a Chris Evans lay-up with 1:07 on the clock. The hosts had a chance to edge in front after a missed front end by Gregorits but Demetrius Isaac’s jumper with five seconds left rimmed out and Brandon Starr (11 points off the bench) sank two free throws with two seconds remaining to close out the scoring as Cartier Talford’s desperation heave was off the mark as time expired. Brendan Crawford finished with 12 points and five assists for USciences, which also gained 10 points and four assists from Paddy Casey. Evans closed out his career with 21 points (8-13 FG, 3-5 from long range) to lead Chestnut Hill. He was supported by Tony Toplyn, Jr. (18 points, 6-7 FG, six rebounds, three blocks), Liban Awl (11 points off the bench) and Isaac (10 points, six assists in his collegiate swan song) though the Griffins failed to muster a field goal over the last 5:03. The Devils play at Bloomfield for a second straight postseason.
FELICIAN 90 GEORGIAN COURT 80
Gjaimeir Stanford cranked out 24 points (6-11 from deep) and Terrell Spaulding provided 23 points with eight rebounds as Felician turned aside Georgian Court at the Wellness Center. A 45-45 game seconds into the second half, Stanford drained a 3-ball to ignite a 20-2 power run and put the Golden Falcons in pole position at 65-47; the margin oscillating between 10 and 19 the remainder of the ballgame. Mansfield Warren, Jr. rang up 11 points (4-5 FG, 3-4 from 3), six rebounds and eight assists for the winners, who also received 10 points and 14 rebounds from Rahsaan Williams, as well as 10 points from Jordan Compas. Juwuan Carter generated 31 points in his final collegiate contest for the Lions, who also saw Nikola Vujovic pour in 22, including #1,000, in his finale. Caleb Bowser added 11 for the hosts, who were outclassed from beyond the arc (15-32 to 5-23) and on the boards (49-36), neutralizing a 44-24 mandate in the paint and 20-0 boon in turnover points as Georgian Court recorded a regional season-low ONE miscue (FU committed 14), albeit in its seventh straight loss. Felician moves on to play at Goldey-Beacom in Tuesday’s tourney opener.
CONCORDIA 72 POST 65
Though the game held zero relevance, Concordia pushed past Post in Waterbury to end a disappointing and tumultuous season on a four-game win streak. Baron Goodridge equaled his personal best with 17 points (6-8 FG, 4-5 from long distance) and handed out four assists in a reserve role for the Clippers, who battled back from down 24-13 in the first-half deficit and a 55-53 deficit in the second, initiating a 14-4 spurt to seize the reins at 67-59 after an Elijah Brown basket with 4:23 to go. The hosts never came closer than five in the waning moments despite noteworthy efforts from Tyler Desrosiers (23 points, five steals), Joseph Lockwood (13 points in his last game) and Darrick Boyd (10 points, four assists off the bench). Concordia shot at a higher clip overall (50%-38%) but the game stayed close due to the Eagles’ 3-point advantage (13-34 to 7-23) and 21-11 edge on turnovers.