By Chris Granozio
On this, another Thanksgiving Weekend, I am grateful to be covering regional Division 2 basketball for you avid and loyal readers. Few things on earth give me quite the rush that walking into a basketball gym does. Knowing I will be seeing players, coaches and game-day staffers – many of whom I know, as well as a handful whose acquaintance I’ve yet to make. Then there's the game... sometimes it's worth the drive and sometimes it's a dud. But I'm hardly ever bored. In this latest edition of “Around the Rim,” we will check in on the 35 East Region clubs, all but one of which has tasted defeat after two full weeks of regular-season play, and all but two of which have yet to chalk up that elusive first “W.” Let’s begin the tour around the circuit with a three notable results from Tuesday that saw the teams with the three longest losing streaks break out of their respective funks with stunning wins, two of which came against previously undefeated squads.
Leading off, let’s congratulate Andy Burkholder and the American International Yellow Jackets, who snapped a 20-game dry spell dating back to last season with a gritty victory against Mass Pike rival Assumption in Springfield. Naturally, it didn’t come easily, as AIC saw the Greyhounds erase a 66-63 deficit on a Kani Glover 3-pointer with three seconds left in regulation, necessitating the bonus round. The Yellow Jackets – who were buoyed by rookie guard Jack Hall’s 22-point effort (7-11 FG, 5-8 from afar) – took control from there, going up 78-73 on a dunk by Justice Ellison and successive free throw with 26 seconds to play. The Hounds made a last-ditch effort, with Glover missing a potential winning triple at the buzzer as the Jackets’ players, coaches and fans held their collective breath before finally being rewarded. The 20-game losing streak – which dated back to a January 5 home win vs. New Haven – included more than anyone’s share of bad bounces as more than half of those setbacks (11) were decided by single digits, six by one possession and two by a single point. The streak was the longest by a Northeast-10 team since Assumption, ironically, dropped 32 in a row between 1993-94. A silver lining for Assumption was that Cooper Creek netted a career-high 25 points.
For historical purposes, here are the longest streaks by the two other regional conferences. In the CACC, it was 42 by Nyack between 2010-12 and in the ECC/NYCAC, Mercy holds the distinction, with that streak coming between 2008-10… that representing a regional record and just three shy of the D2 mark for futility (46 by both Olivet 1959-61 and Southwest Minnesota State 1971-73).
Earlier that afternoon in Vermont, Staten Island rallied from 10 down inside of the four-minute mark to shock St. Michael’s to spoil the hosts’ best start since 2013. Playing each other for the very first time, Chris Velazquez’s jumper from the left baseline with 31 seconds remaining snapped a 74-74 tie and proved the difference-maker as the Dolphins halted a nine-game slide – earning their initial triumph against a previously undefeated NE10 team for the second consecutive season (CSI confounded eventual NCAA participant Pace last December 4 for its first D2 win). The final moments took nearly an eternity to play out as no fewer than three timeouts were called in succession with 2.6 seconds on the clock; after which the Purple Knights never even shot the ball despite being in the halfcourt. Messiah Mallory (20 points, eight rebounds, four blocked shots) and Bryce Waterman (17 points, 5-10 from 3, including the tying trifecta) came up big for the visitors, while freshman point guard James Chestnut put on his best Steve Ray imitation with zero points in 40 minutes while dishing out 14 assists, doubling his previous career output in that category. The win – which saw the Dolphins lead for a total of 52 seconds – was the first at the D2 level for returning head coach T.J. Tibbs, and it was one he won’t soon forget.
Things didn’t go according to script for the other Purple Knights program, either, as Bridgeport fell to former ECC rival Mercy at Victory Hall – its first defeat of the young season and first to the Mavericks in 16 meetings dating back to December 21, 2013, also in Dobbs Ferry, by the score of 88-84. The win was the first for interim head coach Chris Watts, and it was made possible, in part, by Jayden DeWaal’s lay-in at the 1:40 juncture that snapped the final tie of 77-77, as the Mavs sank three of four at the stripe over the last 17 seconds to secure the spoils. James Taylor, Jr. led five Mercy players in double figures with 19 points, and DeWaal contributed 12 points with just as many boards.
There were some other notable comebacks over the past week. In Worcester, Franklin Pierce spotted Assumption a 56-40 lead just over four minutes into the second half before getting off the deck and pulling out its first NE10 victory. Sean Brennan was the catalyst in this one, depositing 18 of 25 points (9-13 FG, 4-4 from deep, plus 11 rebounds) in the second half, and nailing three straight go-ahead hoops – the last two from behind the arc – to boost the Ravens. For the Greyhounds, it was their 11th straight regular-season league game that was decided by single digits (five by just one possession). Two days later, Pierce held off California, PA in Rindge to avenge a 20-point blowout at the hands of the Vulcans a year earlier in Western PA. Bresnan again made his presence felt with a timely triple that doubled the advantage to 80-74 with 1:24 to play. Mohamed Traore (21 points, seven rebounds, four assists) iced it with two free throws in the final second.
Bentley fell from the ranks of the unbeaten last Saturday, and slipped out of the Top 25 as a result – falling to St. Anselm at Stoutenburgh Gym. Miles Tention was the star attraction in this one as he exploded for a career-high 35 points (12-12 FT), including the 1,000th of his career, while playing all 40 minutes. The senior shooter buried a top-of-the-key three with 2:24 left that represented the sixth lead change during a span of just over five minutes – and it was the last one, putting the Hawks on top to stay, 67-65. St. A’s then fell to Pace in Pleasantville on Tuesday as the Setters handcuffed Tention and fellow star guard Tyler Arbuckle to the tune of nine points on 2-11 combined shooting and 11 turnovers in 72 minutes. The Powell brothers combined for 38 points for Pace, which used an 18-2 run to snap a 16-16 tie and never looked back, gaining a measure of revenge from last season’s controversial loss, when Tention’s game-winning 3-pointer appeared to be released after the final buzzer. The Setters’ stifling defense limited the Hawks to just five baskets inside the arc, with Owen McGlashen’s career-high 17-point output the lone bright spot. St. Anselm’s three road losses thus far have been by an average of 19.3 points. For good measure, Tention has now sunk 31 straight at the line dating back to last season.
Speaking of “D,” New Haven put the clamps down on Saint Rose in Albany, limiting the Golden Knights to just 11 points over the final 25 minutes, erasing a 56-48 deficit with just under five minutes remaining in regulation. Quashawn Lane was the catalyst in the comeback, pumping in 13 points over the last 9:48 as the Chargers built on a comfortable win vs. Adelphi three days earlier, shooting 60% on that day with Lane contributing 15 points and seven caroms. Saint Rose welcomed back Eric Fleming, who notched 20 and seven, respectively, in a loss at St. Michael’s as freshman phenom Alan Brzezinski delivered another 18 points off the bench for the victors.
Southern New Hampshire earned its second one-point win over a Nutmeg State team in less than a week, slipping past Southern Connecticut in New Haven before falling at home to Bentley on Tuesday. A 17-0 Falcons power run over the first 6:28 of the final frame opened up a commanding 60-33 lead, and the Penmen could never trim it below 12 thereafter. Sophomore sensation Zack Laput continues to shine, posting 26 points vs. St. A’s, then 21 vs. SNHU on Bentley’s second successive trip to Manchester. Matt Leritz amassed 14 points and 19 rebounds for the Falcons, the latter total representing the most by anyone in program history dating back to at least 1985. Bentley owned the glass in this one, 49-29. Eleven players scored for Southern Connecticut in its streaky road win over Molloy – the 100th career victory for coach Scott Burrell. Zack Penn led the balanced attack with 16 points (6-8 FG) and nine rebounds as the Owls, who saw a 41-22 lead whittled down to 43-40 early in the second half before a 13-0 jaunt provided the necessary breathing room that kept the margin above a dozen the rest of the way. Darren Fergus’ career-high 29 points topped the Lions’ ledger.
The first triple-double of the season was authored by the man with perhaps the best name in the region: Sunnie Diamond. The Georgia native stuffed the stat sheet with 18 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists as Queens snapped Alliance’s four-game win streak in Flushing. It was the first triple-double in our region since UDC’s Jahmir Marable-Williams compiled 12, 11 and 11, respectively, against Molloy, spookily on 2-22-22. This was the third triple-double by a Knight in the last nine seasons following Jerry Mordi (26, 10, 10 vs New York Tech on February 18, 2015) and Tyree White (15, 12, 10 vs. Roberts Wesleyan on February 26, 2016) – the most by any one team over that span (Roberts Wesleyan and Merrimack had two apiece – with Juvaris Hayes responsible for both of those), and each coming during Queens wins at Fitzgerald Gym. Isayas Aris produced 17 points and nine rebounds for Alliance, after offering 16 and 12, respectively, in its prior win at Mansfield.
Dominican stands alone as the only undefeated team in the region after winning both games in its Daniel Sullivan classic over the weekend. The first triumph vs. independent Cheyney was the Chargers’ only non-nailbiter as Jason Copman led 14 scorers with 19 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Next day vs. Molloy, the hosts nearly squandered a 64-48 lead inside of the last seven minutes as the Lions sidled within a deuce (68-66) with 54 ticks remaining. They had a chance to tie one possession later but turned the ball over, essentially sealing their fate as their 0-6 record is worst in the region at this early stage of the campaign. Molloy lost its opener to Caldwell, which earned longtime assistant Dean Johnson his first head coaching victory. And he didn’t have to wait much longer for #2 as the Cougars put a hurting on Cheyney, 82-31, with all 15 players on the roster reaching the score column. The 31 points allowed were the fewest in the program’s NCAA era, and the 51-point margin of victory is its largest on record (research still underway), with a 92-56 decimation of Dowling on December 28, 2011 having been the previous standard. Mark Heber scored an efficient 20 points in 21 minutes vs. Molloy, while adding 15 vs. the Wolves, who shot an arctic 11-50 (22%) with 24 turnovers.
The third annual Harlem Renaissance Classic was an unqualified success this year with three games being played in front of a sellout crowd of over 3,000 at CCNY’s Nat Holman Arena. Our region posted a 1-2 record vs. CIAA competition with Felician sewing up the lone victory vs. Bowie State. Ebuka Nnagbo totaled 17 points and seven rebounds for the Golden Falcons, coming through with a critical “And-1” with 5:33 to go and tip-in on the ensuing possession that expanded a slim 59-58 lead to 64-58. Anas Amos (previously known as Nas Amos) capped the contest with two foul shots with six seconds on the clock, as both sides combined to shoot a frosty 6-30 from long distance… James Patterson exploded for a personal-best 27 points and snatched eight rebounds, but it wasn’t enough for St. Thomas Aquinas, which fell to Lincoln despite chopping down a 15-point deficit to four in the closing minutes before succumbing for the first time. Former Holy Family guard Manny Toha’s bucket with 1:20 to play proved the dagger for the Lions… Winston-Salem State ran away from Jefferson in the opener – a battle of the Rams – as WSSU rode a 23-4 wave to open up a 30-15 advantage and never looked back, outshooting its first-time foe, 57%-33%. Ten Jefferson players scored, but none in double digits (perhaps the only time that has happened in program history). It was the Rams’ most lopsided loss since another 33-point setback at Holy Family (86-53) on January 11, 2014. It was the fewest points they had scored since a 63-43 defeat at University of the Sciences on January 9, 2013. The mood would swing completely the other direction three days later, however, as Eric Timko led five in doubles with 19 points, six caroms and six assists as Jefferson banged out 17 threes in defeating Bloomsburg at the newly-branded Herb Magee Arena. The now-retired Hall of Fame coach was on hand for a pregame ceremony and watched his successor Jimmy Reilly’s team dominate the glass (45-25) and maintain between a 13- and 20-point upper hand for the final 18:06.
One addendum to that Rams-Rams game: Magee and former Winston-Salem State coach, the late Clarence "Big House" Gaines combined to win 1,972 games over their Hall of Fame careers, spanning 92 seasons between them.
St. Thomas Aquinas outlasted former NAIA league rival Post in a tight overtime thriller at the Drubner Center. After a second half that never saw more than two possessions of separation. The Spartans took over in the extra session as a trey from Jamal Barnes (19 points, 5-10 from 3) triggered a 9-0 flurry that put the game out of reach at 83-71. D.J. Frechette – whose 3-point attempt at the end of regulation would have won it – finished with 19 in a losing effort. All five Eagles finished in doubles in their prior win over American International at Butova Gym – the last leg of AIC’s losing streak.
After dropping its first three games, including two in heartbreaking fashion, Le Moyne started its conference slate 2-0 after knocking off old MIdeast Collegiate Conference rivals Pace and Adelphi, forcing 41 combined turnovers in the victories. Isaiah Salter tormented his former team in Garden City, tallying game highs of 20 points (18 before intermission), six assists and three steals for the Dolphins. Dayshaun Walton made his presence felt with 14 points (5-6 FG) off the bench for the Panthers. Three days earlier, Jeremiah Washington scored all nine of his points on a trio of 3-pointers during a critical 2:13 span of the second half, sparking Le Moyne’s win over Pace, while Luke Sutherland led the way with 18 points and eight rebounds in his first start of the season.
The ninth time was the charm for Wilmington at West Chester, which finally won a game at Hollinger Field House after eight consecutive losses. And this one was a genuine ass-kicking as the Wildcats never trailed in handing the Golden Rams their first setback of the season, outshooting their hosts, 58%-41%, and maintaining a double-digit advantage the entirety of the second half. Jordan Jackson boasted a career-high 23 points and Randy Rickards followed suit (both shot 9-15 from the field, as well), with that total one off of his personal best, as he added 10 rebounds, five assists, four steals and four blocks. The win came after nearly completing a comeback in another PSAC gym, falling to Lock Haven despite pruning a 57-36 deficit down to three points twice down the stretch. Rickards (17 points, four swipes) and Jackson (16 points) were high men yet again for WilmU.
Other CACC-PSAC match-ups included Georgian Court’s win at Kutztown, during which Clint Wright, Jr. paved the way with 19 points, including a perfect 4-4 at the line over the last 16 seconds to keep the Bald Eagles at bay. The Lions maintained the lead for the final 37:36 of this one… Zayon Marsh (26 points on 11-18 shooting) and Zack Oree (20 points, seven rebounds) were the top dogs in Goldey-Beacom’s win over Bloomsburg as both teams shot an identical 29-64 from the field. Leading 62-61 with seven-and-a-half minutes left, Marsh’s traditional 3-point play set in motion a definitive 11-2 Lightning run that effectively put the game out of reach at 73-63… and Chestnut Hill wrapped up a three-game, five-day homestand vs. PSAC opposition, going 1-2, including a game against Lock Haven that saw the Griffins never taste the lead despite a career-high 24 points from Conor Regan. California used a 29-10 power run to turn a 51-44 game into an 80-54 runaway in the finale; a game in which the Griffs only enjoyed one brief lead (14-13). In the opening win vs. Millersville, M.J. Iraldi shepherded a 57% shooting day by making 10 of 14 shots en route to a 23-point, six-rebound, seven-assist performance (he totaled an impressive 58 points in the three games) as the hosts trailed only once at 74-73 before Noah Charles converted a lay-up that sparked a 6-0, game-ending flourish.
Bloomfield split a pair of non-league tilts, winning at District of Columbia in a contest that saw nine men score in double figures, but no one offering more than 16 points – one of those being Andres Fulgencio (16 points, 12 rebounds) as the Bears never trailed. Next game vs. Bowie State in the “home” opener, Bloomfield was forced to play the game at Caldwell University due to a maintenance issue with the home facility. Again, it was Fulgencio who paced five in doubles with 17 points (5-9 from long range) but the Bulldogs shot 54% overall and even better from beyond the arc (11-20), using a Caleb Johnson lay-up to grab the lead for good at 80-78 with 1:38 on the clock in an entertaining game that featured eight ties and 19 lead swaps. UDC rebounded from its home Bloomfield loss to upend Bowie on the road. Michael Aiken (24 bench points, 8-11 FG, 3-5 from 3) and Juanye Colon (21 points) did most of the heavy lifting for the Firebirds, with Colon banging a big trifecta that capped a 20-7 run, erasing a 10-point deficit and giving UDC a 74-71 edge with 6:24 on the clock. But it was Marable-Williams’ long ball at 2:12 that gave the Firebirds the lead for keeps at 82-79. The junior playmaker added two freebies as he came through with seven of his 12 points during a key 59-second stretch.
Western New York had a rough time with Western Pennsylvania… Roberts Wesleyan is off to its worst start (0-5) since an 0-10 opening in 2016. The latest chapter for the struggling Redhawks coming against Edinboro as the Fighting Scots used a 17-3 spurt to extend a 47-42 lead to 64-45 midway through the second period, the lead never shrinking to single digits the balance of the ballgame despite 17 points apiece from Ja’kair Sanchez (eight rebounds) and Malik Brooks. Roberts was doubled on the backboards, 48-24 in the game, which was marred by 46 turnovers… Nick MacDonald’s career-high 20 points wasn’t enough to keep Daemen afloat at Slippery Rock. The Wildcats started strong with a 23-10 lead, but The Rock battled back and used a 25-6 surge to open things up at 69-49 with 6:59 to go. Both teams shot 6-20 from deep but the hosts made 11 more field goals in improving to 4-0 for the first time since 2009.
There are no regional teams in the latest NABC Top 25 Coaches’ Poll, but four are receiving votes: Dominican, Bentley, St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Michael’s. Three-time defending national champion Northwest Missouri State maintains the #1 spot.
Next week’s column will include some personal impressions, as well as more highlights from around the region. If you like what you’re reading, please consider a modest donation to help defray our operating costs: https://www.patreon.com/D2easthoops. Thanks and Happy hooping to all!