Feb 19, 2011
Beverly, Mass. – The Endicott men's basketball will head into the TCCC Quarterfinals on Tuesday with a two-game winning streak after defeating Curry College 85-75 behind two double-double performances by senior Chris Galbraith (Lowell, Mass.) and freshman Lachlan Magee (Melbourne, Australia) on Senior Day.
The Gulls (16-9, 8-5 TCCC), who were celebrating their lone senior's four-year career, saw Galbraith explode for a season-high 19 points on 8-of-12 shooting from the floor with 11 rebounds, including seven on the offensive glass. It was the senior's second straight game with double digit points after netting 14 against Salve Regina a week ago.
Endicott guard Lachlan Magee tied his season and career-high, set a week earlier against those same Seahawks, with 23 points while grabbing a season-best 13 boards. Fifteen of his points came in the first half, helping the Blue and Green to a 41-36 halftime lead.
For the Colonels (4-21, 2-11 TCCC), three players reached double figures including senior forward Chris Bonadies (Medfield, Mass.) who scored 14 points on 7-of-13 from the field in the last game of his collegiate career. Bonadies added four rebounds, two blocks, and a steal before fouling out late in the second half.
Curry freshman Brian Boyajian (Saugus, Mass.) led the Colonels with 16 points, knocking down 4-of-7 attempts from behind the three-point line. Sophomore guard Sedale Jones (Pittsfield, Mass.) had a solid overall performance with 15 points, six rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block in the loss.
The visitors held the lead for nearly nine minutes in the first half before Endicott regained the lead at 25-24 with 6:20 remaining in the opening stanza. The Gulls pulled off a 9-2 run to get that lead and after the two teams exchanged baskets, Endicott went ahead for good at 30-27 after a three-point play by Magee after getting fouled on a made layup.
In the second half, Curry was able to pull within a single point on two separate occasions at 49-48 (15:48 remaining) and 64-63 (8:06 remaining) but both times the Gulls went on offensive runs to gain separation. Endicott's Lance Greene (Dorcester, Mass.) was a factor in the second half with eight points, two steals and an assist. He finished with four steals and two assists total for the game.
Endicott's junior center Erik Callo (Southington, Conn.) came off the bench to score 10 points. He added five rebounds, three steals and two blocks in the game. Sophomore Hayden Palozej (Stafford Springs, Conn.) was also crucial off the bench with eight points and five rebounds.
The Gulls had the rebounding advantaging at 54-38, including 15 offensive rebounds that led to 22 points. Endicott outscored Curry in the paint 36-22 while the Colonels converted 13 Gulls turnovers in 16 points. Endicott was especially effective from the charity stripe, knocking down 83.3% (25-of-30) attempts from the line.
Endicott will now await word from the TCCC on who their opponent will be in the quarterfinals on Tuesday, February 22nd.