Taylor’s Career Night Not Enough in 63-53 Loss to Vanderbilt
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Junior D’Shon Taylor had game and career highs of 19 points and 11 rebounds, but the Norfolk State men’s basketball team shot just 32 percent from the floor in a 63-53 loss to Vanderbilt on Tuesday evening at Memorial Gym.
The Commodores hit 9-of-22 from the 3-point line and got balanced scoring, including three players off the bench scoring in double figures. Vanderbilt had 19 assists on its 22 baskets with just nine turnovers to improve to 4-0 overall.
Senior Malik Thomas was the only other Spartan player in double figures with 13. NSU hit just 18-of-56 (32.1 percent) overall, including 3-of-19 from 3-point range, to fall to 2-3.
The contest was played as part of the Barclays Center Classic, which will conclude this weekend.
The Spartans outrebounded the Commodores 42-34 in the game and had just 11 turnovers.
Vanderbilt hit 22-of-50 (44.0 percent) for the game. Wade Baldwin IV totaled 13 points, six rebounds and six assists. Riley LaChance added 12 points, and Matthew Fisher-Davis and James Siakam each tallied 11 points on the night. Of the four players in double figures, only LaChance got a starting nod. Vanderbilt outscored NSU 37-12 in bench points.
Damian Jones and Luke Kornet came into the game averaging a combined 34 points per game for Vanderbilt. NSU held the duo to a combined 11 points on the night.
NSU will compete in the Barclays Center Classic at Saint Peter’s this Friday and Saturday, beginning with a 5 p.m. contest against St. Francis Brooklyn at 5 p.m. on Friday.
For complete story, visit www.nsuspartans.com
Pesky North Carolina Central falls to Cincinnati
CINCINNATI, Ohio – Round No. 2 of the 2014 Emerald Coast Classic saw North Carolina Central University fight tooth-and-nail with the host Bearcats of Cincinnati, dropping a tough 59-50 decision inside Fifth Third Arena on Tuesday night.
Despite the Bearcats leading for close to 33 minutes in the game, Cincinnati never led by more than nine points in the contest.
Four Eagles finished in double figures led by Nimrod Hilliard’s 14 points on 5-of-11 shooting, while the final three (Dante Holmes, Jawara, and Parks) all ended up with 10 points. Hilliard also topped the team with four rebounds and three assists.
Cincinnati (4-0) was led by Clayton, North Carolina native Gary Clark, who ended up with a season-high 12 points, eight rebounds, and four blocks. The Bearcats dominated on the boards outrebounding the maroon and gray 33-to-15 and finished with an 18-to-2 advantage in second chance points.
NCCU (1-3) will look to recover as the get set to face the Panthers of Eastern Illinois University inside The Arena on the campus of Northwest Florida State College in Niceville, Florida for the Emerald Coast Classic. That contest is slated for a 12:00 p.m. (EST) tip on Friday, Nov. 28.
For complete story, visit www.nccueaglepride.com
Hawks drop heartbreaker to Bucknell
TOLEDO, Ohio – The University of Maryland Eastern Shore men’s basketball team lost to the Bucknell Bison on Tuesday night in the most excruciating fashion. The Hawks led by four points with 40 seconds remaining, but the Bison came back with two clutch plays by Chris Hass to win 58-55.
Iman Johnson led UMES with 12 points, in addition to a game-high four steals leading to transition buckets. Ishaq Pitt was the only other Hawk in double digits with 10 points on 5-of-7 shooting. The offense found its rhythm in the second half, shooting 58.3% after halftime. The Hawks squandered some opportunities from the free throw line, including in the final minute, shooting 60% (12-for-20) as a team.
For the Bison, Chris Hass shined the brightest in the later stages of the game with the three-pointer and three free throws for the comeback in the final forty seconds. Hass finished his night with 17 points, leading the Bison as he has all season. Bucknell outrebounded UMES 35 to 25, creating 16 points on second chance opportunities.
The Hawks will have to regroup after Thanksgiving for yet another road game. On Saturday, November 29, the Hawks will visit the Bronx, N.Y. to face the Fordham Rams. Tip-off is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. at Rose Hill Gymnasium with pregame coverage to start at 3:40 p.m. on the Hawks Radio Network on SFMSports.net and Fox Sports 960 AM.
For complete story, visit www.umeshawks.com