NEWBURGH, NY (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | Mount Saint Mary College (NY) used a 17-0 run to snap a 53-53 deadlock and broke open a game that was tied 12 times, with a dozen more lead changes and the Blue Knights knocked down 13 three-pointers as New Jersey City University's 79th season of men's basketball came to an end with a 73-62 loss to MSMC in the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III Metro Quarterfinals on Wednesday night at the Kaplan Center.
NJCU, the No. 5 seed in the eight-team bracket, ends the 2011-12 campaign with three consecutive losses and a record of 17-8. MSMC improves to 21-7 and advances to face No. 1 seeded Stevens Institute of Technology, a winner over No. 8 Baruch College in another quarterfinal game. MSMC leads the all-time series, 2-0. It was the first meeting between the schools in nine years. The Blue Knights also won the only other meeting on March 8, 2003 in the ECAC Semifinals in Newburgh.
NJCU, making its 18th appearance in the ECACs, lost its fourth consecutive ECAC Quarterfinal game since winning a record sixth ECAC title in 2006 and fall to 26-12 (.684) all-time in the tournament in 38 games. NJCU was making its 29th post-season appearance in the last 30 seasons.
NJCU, playing its first game in two weeks, received a team-high 21 points from junior All-NJAC swingman Kaihrique Irick (Teaneck, NJ/Teaneck), who scored 14 in the second half and finished shooting 9-for-17 with five rebounds and two blocks. He scored in double figures for the 20th time this season and reached the 20-point mark for the ninth time.