Nov 21, 2010
Golden Bears' Men's Hoop Classic
Third-Place Game - Norwich 76, Western New England College 74
Championship Game - Trinity 79, Lesley (Mass.) 56
Third-Place Game - Norwich 76, Western New England College 74
Championship Game - Trinity 79, Lesley (Mass.) 56
Brad Thomka
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - Senior forward Cori Boston (Boston, MA) fired in the winning basket with 1:47 remaining as Norwich edged Western New England College 76-74 in the third-place game of the Golden Bears' Men's Hoop Classic Sunday afternoon (Nov. 21) at the Alumni Healthful Living Center.
Boston, a transfer from Robert Morris, finished with 11 points and four assists for the Cadets who won for the first time in three outings this season.
WNEC (0-3) had several chances to tie or win the game, but missed a pair of free throws and three-pointers, including one by senior guard Chris Devine (Wilbraham, MA) at the buzzer.
Norwich took early control of the game using a 14-0 run to take a 30-12 advantage with 6:45 left in the opening half. The Cadets led 40-33 at intermission and enjoyed a 10-point cushion at 59-49 when freshman center Pim Smulders (Holland) sank two foul shots with 12:24 left in the contest.
Western New England College responded with a 12-1 run to take its first lead of the game at 61-60 with 9:37 remaining following two free throws by senior forward Brad Thomka (Springfield, MA). Junior guard Andre Shaw (New York, NY) helped key the comeback with eight straight points in the comeback.
Each team enjoyed a small lead down the stretch with WNEC going ahead 70-69 when Shaw buried a long three-pointer at the 3:50 mark. Sophomore guard Ryan Williams (Dallas, TX) put the visitors ahead 72-70 with a three-pointer just 29 seconds later. Thomka sank a jumper to tie the game for the final time at 74-74 with 2:03 left, which turned out to be the last points for the Golden Bears.
Norwich had a balanced scoring attack as junior guard Josh Cabrera (Providence, RI) led four players in double figures with 16 points. Junior forward Antonio Davis (Albany, NY) followed with 14 points and nine rebounds while Williams added 15 points, four rebounds, and four assists. Senior guard Jaren Jeffcoat (Dallas, TX) chipped-in with six assists. Davis was selected to the All-Tournament Team.
Thomka led four Western New England College players in double figures with 20 points. Sophomore guard Damon Alston (New Britain, CT) contributed a career best 16 points and made the All-Tournament Team while Shaw netted 17 points in 16 minutes coming off the bench. Devine had a terrific all-around game with 11 points, eight rebounds, eight assists, and four steals. Senior center Conor Lomas (Wilbraham, MA) pulled-down a game high 12 rebounds.
Both squads shot over 45% with Norwich holding a slim 39-37 off the boards.
Boston, a transfer from Robert Morris, finished with 11 points and four assists for the Cadets who won for the first time in three outings this season.
WNEC (0-3) had several chances to tie or win the game, but missed a pair of free throws and three-pointers, including one by senior guard Chris Devine (Wilbraham, MA) at the buzzer.
Norwich took early control of the game using a 14-0 run to take a 30-12 advantage with 6:45 left in the opening half. The Cadets led 40-33 at intermission and enjoyed a 10-point cushion at 59-49 when freshman center Pim Smulders (Holland) sank two foul shots with 12:24 left in the contest.
Western New England College responded with a 12-1 run to take its first lead of the game at 61-60 with 9:37 remaining following two free throws by senior forward Brad Thomka (Springfield, MA). Junior guard Andre Shaw (New York, NY) helped key the comeback with eight straight points in the comeback.
Each team enjoyed a small lead down the stretch with WNEC going ahead 70-69 when Shaw buried a long three-pointer at the 3:50 mark. Sophomore guard Ryan Williams (Dallas, TX) put the visitors ahead 72-70 with a three-pointer just 29 seconds later. Thomka sank a jumper to tie the game for the final time at 74-74 with 2:03 left, which turned out to be the last points for the Golden Bears.
Norwich had a balanced scoring attack as junior guard Josh Cabrera (Providence, RI) led four players in double figures with 16 points. Junior forward Antonio Davis (Albany, NY) followed with 14 points and nine rebounds while Williams added 15 points, four rebounds, and four assists. Senior guard Jaren Jeffcoat (Dallas, TX) chipped-in with six assists. Davis was selected to the All-Tournament Team.
Thomka led four Western New England College players in double figures with 20 points. Sophomore guard Damon Alston (New Britain, CT) contributed a career best 16 points and made the All-Tournament Team while Shaw netted 17 points in 16 minutes coming off the bench. Devine had a terrific all-around game with 11 points, eight rebounds, eight assists, and four steals. Senior center Conor Lomas (Wilbraham, MA) pulled-down a game high 12 rebounds.
Both squads shot over 45% with Norwich holding a slim 39-37 off the boards.