Jan. 13, 2009

Box Score

BOSTON, Mass. - The Emmanuel Men's Basketball Team used a balanced attack to come away with a 70-64 win over the visiting Falcons of Albertus Magnus College on Tuesday night. In a game that featured 7 lead changes and 7 ties, the host Saints shot 42.4% from the floor (25-59) and boasted three players scoring in double figures as they picked up their second GNAC win of the season. With the victory, Emmanuel improves to 5-6 overall and 2-2 in the conference, while AMC falls to 6-5 on the year and 2-2 in GNAC play.

After a couple of quick lead changes in the early going, the Falcons took the lead on a layup by senior forward Adam Hovan (Ansonia, Conn.) with 14:20 remaining in the first half. Albertus hung on to the advantage for the next thirteen minutes. With 1:28 to play, Emmanuel's sophomore forward Chris Puzacke (Torrington, Conn.) hit a jumper in the paint to tie the game at 30-30. After three consecutive misses by the Falcons, Saints' point guard J.P. Ventura (Riva, Md) found Mack Spellman (Clinton, N.Y.) on the baseline, who hit a three-ball to give the Saints a 33-30 edge at the break.

Emmanuel went on an 8-0 run to open the second half and the Saints found themselves up 38-30 with 18:24 to go. The Falcons slowly chipped away and managed to regain the lead on a hoop by Hovan with 9:18 to play. Albertus remained in control for the next seven minutes.

After a steal by Spellman and a layup from Tyrone Buchanan (Detroit, Mich.) with 2:24 to go, the contest was knotted at 60-60. Spellman then found Puzacke streaking down the right side and fed the sophomore for a fastbreak dunk that put the Saints on top for the remainder of the contest. Free-throws down the stretch put the Saints up by as many as eight points and Emmanuel finished with a six-point win, 70-64.

Spellman and Buchanan led Emmanuel with 15 points apiece. Spellman grabbed a team-high 9 boards and dished out 6 assists in his 35 minutes of action. Buchanan and Puzacke combined for 13 rebounds. Senior guard Rob Williams-Hinton (Oak Park, Mich.) chipped in with 12 points, while Ventura totaled 4 assists in the win.

Albertus Magnus had four players score in double figures. Walden St. Juste (Hartford, Conn.) led the way with 13 points. Rookie forward Raymond Askew (Hamden, Conn.) notched a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds. Senior forward Francisco Cordova (Winsor, Conn.) tallied 11 points and 8 boards, while Hovan added 10 points in the effort.

The Saints (5-6, 2-2 GNAC) will take their show on the road this Thursday, as they travel to Northfield, Vt. To take on the Cadets of Norwich University in a 7pm start. Emmanuel will play at home again on Saturday (1/17), when they host the defending GNAC Champion Lasell College Lasers in a 1pm tip.