WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – The top-seeded University of Saint Joseph (USJ) men's basketball team kept it rolling Saturday afternoon earning a dominant, 99-46, win over the fourth-seeded AMCATS of Anna Maria College (ANM), in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Semifinals inside the O'Connell Center. The win improves the nationally-ranked No. 12 Blue Jays to 25-1 on the season, and sets up an unprecedented third act between Saint Joseph and Albertus Magnus for the GNAC Championship on Sunday.
It marks the first time in men's basketball history that two teams will square off in the GNAC Championship game in three straight seasons (both teams have won one game each). The rubber match will be played in the new-look O'Connell Center on Sunday afternoon, February 27, at 3:00 p.m. Tickets go on sale here at 7:00 p.m. Saturday evening. For more information, see below:
Semifinals - Saturday, February 26
#4 Anna Maria 46, #1 Saint Joseph CT 99
#3 Lasell 82, #2 Albertus Magnus 96
Championship - Sunday, February 27
#2 Albertus Magnus at #1 Saint Joseph CT – 3PM
GAME INFORMATION
Score: #4 Anna Maria 46, #1 Saint Joseph 99
Records: ANM (15-11), USJ (25-1)
Location: O'Connell Athletic Center | West Hartford, Conn.
Notes: GNAC Semifinals
PLAYER QUOTE [Tyree Mitchell]
"We just stay together and know what the ultimate goal is. We just need one more win. Everybody wants to win. Tomorrow's matchup [vs. Albertus Magnus] means everything. We can't let them have it, we want it more than them, and we will prove it tomorrow."
COACH QUOTE [Glen Miller]
"We've been playing much better defense the last couple of games. That's the way we are going to win, and that is the way we are going to win a championship. We need to defend and rebound, and our offense will take care of itself. We were focused on getting stops today and it showed. We are hoping for a really good crowd tomorrow, it has been a special season for this team."
Senior guard Tyree Mitchell (East Hartford, Conn.) was the high-man for USJ with a game-best and career-high 22 points (8-12 FG), all off the bench. Junior forward Jalen Samuels (Franklin, Mass.) did what he does best on both ends for USJ. He finished with 14 points and eight rebounds. Senior guard Ryan O'Neill (11 Pts, 9 Reb) also was key for Saint Joseph in this one.
The defense did its job for a second straight contest holding Anna Maria to a season-low 46 points. USJ has now won back-to-back games by 50+ points for the first time in program history, holding Anna Maria to just one field goal for the first 13 and a half minutes of the second half. The home team outscored the AMCATS, 45-16, in the second half. The team stats were astronomical as well, with the Blue Jays doubling up the AMCATS on the boards, 65-32.
The Blue Jays have won five straight GNAC Tournament games dating back to 2019-20, and are 7-2 in postseason play (0-1 in NCAA Tournament). USJ is 5-0 all-time against the AMCATS, including 2-0 in the playoffs. USJ has scored 90+ points in each of the last 4 meetings against Anna Maria.
UP NEXT
The top-seeded Blue Jays advance to the GNAC Championship for the third straight season. They will once again host the Falcons of Albertus Magnus College, this time inside the new-look O'Connell Center, on Sunday, February 27 at 3:00 p.m. Saint Joseph swept Albertus Magnus this season and won the 2020 GNAC Championship over the Falcons, 88-84. Albertus Magnus won the 2019 championship over USJ, 81-77. Tickets can be purchased here starting at 7:00 p.m. Saturday evening, or you can catch the action live on www.usjbluejays.com.
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