Friday, November 19, 2010 (Men's Basketball)

SHOTS WON'T FALL AS ALFRED OUTLASTS NJCU, 64-60, IN 2010-11 OPENER

ST. DAVID'S, PA (www.NJCUGothicKnights.com) | New Jersey City University received 15 points from senior shooting guard DA'SHON BARRINO (East Orange, NJ/Malcolm X. Shabazz) and 12 points, seven rebounds and five blocked shots by junior center DASHAWN EAGLE (Newark, NJ/Weequahic) in its 2010-11 season opener, but Alfred University shot 61.9 percent in the first half, including 6-of-8 from three-point range and outlasted the Gothic Knights, 64-60, in the opening game of the Nate Ware Invitational, hosted by Eastern University.

NJCU (0-1) loses a season opener for the third time in four years despite holding a statistical advantage over Alfred (1-1) in nearly every major category other than shooting. It was the first meeting between the schools since December 28, 1968; the all-time series is even, 1-1.

Alfred, which finished the game shooting 47.8 percent overall (22-46) and 57.1 percent from three-point distance (8-14), received a game-best 25 points from senior guard Mike Stopera (Scotia, NY). He shot 9-of-12 overall and 4-of-5 from three-point range.

NJCU forced the Saxons into 22 turnovers and committed just 12, while picking off 11 steals. The Knights had an 18-7 advantage in points off turnovers, 15-0 on second chance points and 8-0 on the fast break, but despite rallying from a nine-point deficit early in the second half and a seven-point, 34-27 halftime margin, could not separate itself from the Saxons late in the contest. There were nine lead changes and nine ties on the night.

Barrino scored 15 points but shot 4-of-12 overall. In 30 minutes he had three assists and three rebounds. Eagle shot 5-of-10 with his 12 points, seven boards (four offensive) and five blocks in 25 minutes of reserve action. Both transfer players were making their NJCU debuts.

Junior forward TAQUAN ABDULLAH (Kenilworth, NJ/David Brearley) scored 10 points in 16 minutes, knocking down 3-of-5 from three-point range (3-8 FG) after going just 1-for-13 from that distance last year and 6-for-26 in his career. Junior point guard KEITH WILLIAMS (Jersey City, NJ/Create Charter) had seven points, five steals and four assists but shot 1-of-7.

Also for the Saxons, sophomore guard Sean Curran (Honesdale, PA) scored 13 points on 5-of-11 shooting and 3-of-6 from three-point territory and five rebounds, and junior guard Josh Parker (Tonawanda, NY) added 12 points (3-6 FG, 5-7 FT).

NJCU led early before Alfred claimed the lead on a pair of threes by Stopera. The Saxons still led 22-19 before a three by Parker made it 25-19 and a layup by junior forward Derek Lewis (Horseheads, NY) put Alfred up by nine for the first of three times in the game.

In the second half, Curran hit a trey with 17:23 remaining before NJCU began whittling at the lead, twice shaving the lead to two on baskets by reigning New Jersey Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year, sophomore forward ISAIAH JOHNSON (East Orange, NJ/East Orange Campus). When Abdullah hit his second three of the contest, NJCU pulled in front, 44-43, with 10:50 to go.

A three-point play by Stopera put the Saxons back on top before Abdullah drilled another three at 9:14 for a 47-46 edge. With NJCU up by two, Stopera sank another three for a 49-48 advantage. After a pair of ties, Barrino sank two foul shots and the Knights matched their largest lead of the game with 5:59 left on a free throw by senior forward TOM McDERMOTT (Kearny, NJ/Kearny). NJCU had a chance to move ahead by five after a Barrino steal but McDermott wasn't able to convert on the fast break. Parker answered with a layup to cut it to one, and after Alfred tied it, hit two foul shots for a 55-53 margin.

Eagle made one free throw to make it 55-54 and Barrino sank two from the line as NJCU reclaimed a 56-55 lead with 2:42 to go. Parker tied it with 1:53 on the clock and Stopera drove to the hoop for two and the lead with 1:26 left. Barrino sank a jumper to even it at 58-58 with 1:19 remaining but Curran responded with a layup off a feed from Parker with 1:03 to go as the Saxons claimed a 60-58 cushion.

With 47 seconds left, NJCU missed an open three-point look and Alfred rebounded. After a timeout, Parker made it a four-point lead with a layup with 15 seconds remaining. Eagle made it a one-possession game with 5.0 on the board but Parker sealed the win with two late foul shots.

NJCU will conclude the tournament in the consolation game on November 20 at 1 p.m. against Philadelphia Biblical University. PBU fell to host Eastern, 63-49, in Friday's other game.

—www.njcugothicknights.com—