PLATTSBURGH, NY – More history was made by the Johnson & Wales University men's basketball team on Saturday. The 12th-ranked Wildcats beat Fitchburg State University, 86-74, during the second round of the NCAA Tournament to advance to the first Sweet 16 in school history.
Records:
Johnson & Wales: 28-2
Fitchburg State: 19-10
JWU Statistical Leaders:
Quarry Greenaway: 30 Points, 17 Rebounds
Tom Garrick: 25 Points, 10 Rebounds
Clayton Roker: 13 Points, 4 Assists, 3 Steals
The Lead:
The Wildcats jumped out to a quick lead they would hold the entire game. The Falcons closed to within five points, 70-65, with four minutes remaining, but Johnson & Wales would shoot a perfect 14-of-14 from the free throw line down the stretch to seal the victory.
Of Note:
Leading all scorers with a game-high 30 points was senior Quarry Greenaway (Westchester NY). The GNAC Player of the Year added a season-high 17 rebounds for his 14th double-double of the season. The number five scorer in the country was 10-of-14 from the free throw line.
Joining Greenaway with a double-double was fellow senior Tom Greenaway (Seekonk, Mass.) as he poured in 25 points and grabbed 12 rebounds for his seventh double-double of the year. Included in his 10 boards were eight offensive rebounds. The third Wildcat in double figure was senior Clayton Roker (New City, NY) with 13 points to go along with four steals and three assists.
The difference in the game was Johnson & Wales' outside shooting. The Wildcats were 9-of-23 from behind the arc, with Garrick hitting three and Greenaway adding two, while the Falcons were only 4-of-13. Fitchburg had a 40-26 margin for points in the paint, but JWU out-rebounded FSU, 49-34.
Johnson & Wales had an 11-point lead, 48-37, coming out of the half, but Fitchburg State battled back to close within five, 51-46, on a Givaugh Jones jumper. The Wildcats went on an 8-3 run to push the margin back up to 10, 59-49, on a Qreenaway jumper. The Falcons would not get any closer than five points the rest of the way.
A free throw put Fitchburg within 17-13 at the 12:24 mark of the first half, but the Wildcats went to work with their pressure defense. Over the next four minutes the Wildcats went on an 11-5 run to push the margin to 10 points for the first time, 29-18, on a pair of Greenaway free throws. The lead grew to as many as 17, 38-21, on a Garrick jumper at the 6:31 mark.
Coachspeak:
"What makes this team so special is our comradery. These guys really love one another and they're committed to one another and that's what we base our defense on - the fact that we're committed to one another and we care about one another."
"This is huge for not just the basketball program or the athletic department, but the entire university. This will help earn the respect that the GNAC and the university deserve. The support from the athletic administration and the entire campus has been through the roof."
-JWU Head Coach Jamie Benton
Up Next:
The Wildcats move on to face Tufts in the Sweet 16. Game date, time and location will be announced at a late date.