RADNOR, Pa. – Though it went down to the game's final minutes, the Cabrini College men's basketball team survived a slow, methodical comeback by the Immaculata University Mighty Macs and ultimately extended its home conference win streak to an astounding 41 games. Cabrini's 81-74 win keeps it undefeated in CSAC play at 12-0 and 17-1 overall.
The Blue and White displayed a balanced offense, with six players tallying at least eight points and all five starters hitting double-figures. Senior Cory Lemons (Wilmington, Del./ Glasgow) led the way with 20 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists. Senior John Boyd (Trappe, Pa./ Perkiomen Valley) and junior Goran Dulac (Levittown, Pa./ Pennsbury) posted 13 for the Cavaliers.
The #8 Cavaliers came out firing as junior A.J. Williams (Wilmington, Del./ St. Elizabeth) recorded five of his 10 points in the game's first five minutes, helping the Blue and White post a 10-1 lead just over four minutes into the game.
Though Cabrini maintained a lead, the Mighty Macs stayed within reach, eventually cutting Cabrini's lead to two points with 7:33 to play before the break. One minute later, Immaculata took a one point lead before Dulac responded with one of his two three-pointers on the night.
The Cavaliers closed the first half with a flurry, as sophomore Fran Rafferty (King of Prussia, Pa./ Upper Merion) tallied his only points of the first half on a crowd-stopping fast break reverse lay-up and foul. The traditional three point play sent Cabrini to the locker room with a 41-32 lead.
Cabrini came out of the locker room as they started the game. Seven Rafferty points helped the Blue and White extend its lead to 55-36 just three minutes into the second stanza.
Cabrini's lead remained in double figures for much of the second half but quietly the Mighty Macs were fighting their way back. Over a 13 minute span, Cabrini connected on just two of their 15 field goal attempts. Suddenly, the Cavaliers led by just two points, 70-68, with 3:19 to play.
Six quick Lemons' points pushed Cabrini's lead back to five points with 98 seconds to play. After a Mighty Macs free throw, junior Jeremy Knowles (Antioch, Cal./ Pittsburg) connected on a lay-up to extend the lead to 78-72.
The Cavaliers made just three of their final seven free throw attempts but held the Mighty Macs without a field goal over the game's final 2:40 to seal the win.
Rafferty closed the game with 11 points and Knowles had eight points. Dulac grabbed seven caroms while Knowles and freshman Aaron Walton-Moss (Camden, N.J./ Camden) secured six each.
Senior Rob Siter's (Yeadon, Pa./ Bonner) double-double of 23 points adn 10 rebounds led Immaculata.
Cabrini will try to remain unbeaten in CSAC play on Saturday when they travel to Hackettstown, N.J. to face Centenary College.