WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – Make it eight in a row to start the 2021-22 season for the No. 5 University of Saint Joseph (USJ) men's basketball team, which put up a masterful effort in a, 91-68, triumph over the AMCATS of Anna Maria College (ANM), in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) contest inside the O'Connell Center Saturday afternoon. With the win, USJ remains undefeated (8-0, 3-0 GNAC) and extends its record-setting start to the season. Meanwhile, Anna Maria dips to 4-5 overall, 1-2 in the GNAC, and has lost back-to-back games.
Saint Joseph had four players in double figures on the day, including the rim-runner himself, senior forward Jordan Powell (Middletown, Conn.), who put up another double-double (18 PTS, 13 REB, 3 STL) to lead the way. Senior point guard Jaecee Martin (Hartford, Conn.) added 16 points and seven assists, while senior guard Ryan O'Neill (Litchfield, Conn.) added 15 points on 5-for-9 from the floor, and senior guard Tyree Mitchell(East Hartford, Conn.) chipped in with 14 points (6-10 FG) off the bench.
This was a strange one inside the OC from the get-go as both teams turned it over at a steady rate. Eventually, the Blue Jays were able to convert more on those turnovers than the AMCATS, and consistently wore them out (35-14 USJ in points off turnovers). Anna Maria did lead early in the first half, but it was short lived, as the Blue Jays took control of the game and led, 48-36, at the break and never looked back.
GAME INFORMATION
Score: Anna Maria 68, Saint Joseph 91
Records: ANM 4-5 (1-2 GNAC), USJ 8-0 (3-0 GNAC)
Location: O'Connell Center | West Hartford, Conn.
COACH QUOTE [Glen Miller] "I am thrilled to be heading into final exams 8-0 and 3-0 in conference games. Our players have worked hard and should be proud of their success this season. With that said, we have plenty of room to grow and get better both individually and collectively. We have 14 days before our next game, which gives us plenty of time to work on those key areas of improvement."
UP NEXT
The Blue Jays will enjoy the holiday season before taking a trip to the Entertainment Capital of the World, as they prep for the D3hoops.com Classic in Las Vegas. Saint Joseph will play two games in two nights starting on Tuesday, December 28 against Transylvania at 10:00 p.m. EST, and No. 10 Marietta on Wednesday, December 29 at 8:00 p.m. EST. Both games will be held inside South Point Arena. Fans can head to www.usjbluejays.com to follow all the action.
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