RADNOR, Pa. – The Cabrini College men's basketball team advanced the second round of the NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive year with tonight's balanced 104-87 win over the Castleton State College Spartans. The Cavaliers extended their current win streak to 18 games and now stand at 27-1 on the year.
Five Cavaliers scored in double-figures, led by freshman Aaron Walton-Moss (Camden. N.J./ Camden) who posted a career-high 23 points and grabbed a game-high 14 rebounds. Senior Cory Lemons (Wilmington, Del./ Glasgow) and sophomore Fran Rafferty (King of Prussia, Pa./ UpperMerion) added 17 points each.
The Cavaliers took their first lead of the game at 5-3 just under three minutes after the tip and never looked back. Though Cabrini maintained the lead, the Spartans kept the score within reach. Castleton State sophomore Matt Cooney's jumper cut Cabrini's lead to 24-19 with 9:39 on the clock.
Two free throws by Cabrini senior John Boyd (Trappe, Pa./ Perkiomen Valley) seemed to ignite the Blue and White's offense. Over the next six minutes, the Cavaliers went on a 22-6 run. During that span, Cabrini forced five turnovers and grabbed five offensive rebounds. Walton-Moss and Lemons combined for 14 of those 22 points, including three consecutive Walton-Moss lay-ups.
The Blue and White took a 57-35 lead into halftime, while holding the nation's second most prolific three-point shooting team to just 4-16. The Cavaliers dominated the paint to the tune of a 32-14 point advantage and a 28-17 rebounding edge.
Cabrini maintained its aggressiveness in the second half. The Blue and White continued to get the ball into the lane and pressure Castleton State's shooters. Each time it looked as if Cabrini was ready to make another run and put the game away, the Spartans hit a big shot.
Late in the game, the Cavaliers were content to try and burn time off the clock, but the Spartans continued to battle. Down 91-71 with four minutes to play, Castleton mounted a comeback. The Spartans cut Cabrini's lead to 13 points after a 55 second 9-2 run.
The Blue and White connected on 11-12 trips to the charity stripe in the game's final three minutes to ice the win.
Junior A.J. Williams (Wiklmington, Del./ St. Elizabeth) finished with 12 points, while junior Goran Dulac (Levittown, Pa./ Pennsbury) posted a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds.
Lemons recorded a game-high six assists. Walton-Moss added four assists and four blocks in the win.
Castleton junior Mark Comstock (Rutland, Vt./ Rutland) led the Spartans (19-9) with 22 points on 10-17 shooting from the floor and five rebounds. Senior Greg Hughes (West Rutland, Vt./ West Rutland) added 11 points, four assists and four steals in the loss.
The Cavaliers will host Hobart College on Saturday at 7:00 p.m. at Nerney Field House in the second round tilt. Hobart (23-5) advanced after rallying from eight points down in the last six minutes to beat Ohio Wesleyan University 64-60.