Becker Outlasts Men's Basketball in NECC Semifinals

Chris Kendrick (@CKendrick86)

BENNINGTON, Vt. – The second-seeded Elms College men's basketball team was unable to overcome a slow start against third-seeded Becker College in an 88-79 loss in the New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) championship tournament semifinals at the Mountaineer Athletic Center Friday night. The Blazers wrap with a 14-12 record, while Becker improves to 17-10 on the season.

The squads opened the game exchanging buckets as Elms senior Jerry Buchanon (Windsor, Conn.) and sophomore Devonte Marshall (Springfield, Mass.) guided the Blazers to an 8-8 score. Tied at 10-10 with 14:35 on the clock, the Hawks pulled ahead behind an 11-2 run over the next four minutes, fueled by nine straight points from sophomore Samuel Durodola (Rosedale, N.Y.) to grab a 21-12 advantage. A layup from Elms junior Symon Smith (Oklahoma City, Okla.) cut the Blazers deficit to 22-16, but Becker maintain their lead with a 18-8 run, featuring three-pointers from freshman Kareem Davis (Lowell, Mass.) and junior Kyle Credle (Queens, N.Y.), to hold a 40-24 lead with 2:16 to play. Buchanon closed the half with back-to-back buckets, making it a 40-28 game heading into halftime.

The Blazers used a 10-3 run, behind six points from Marshall, to trim the Hawks lead to 43-38 at the 15:15 mark. After a layup from Elms sophomore Andre Wright (Danbury, Conn.) made it a 49-42 contest, but Becker responded with a 6-0 run to pull away 55-42. Back-to-back treys from Davis and Credle pushed the Hawks advantage to 61-46 with 8:28 remaining. Trailing 64-49 with 5:21 to play, the Blazers mounted a final rally down the stretch, outscoring the Hawks 21-12 over the next four minutes to pull within six points, 76-70. The Blazers were forced to foul in the final minute but the Hawks held strong, converting 12-of-14 free throws to secure the 88-79 win.

Buchanon led the Blazers with a game-high 22 points, six rebounds and three assists. Marshall poured in a career-high 18 points with six rebounds, while junior Conny Ihearahu (Largo, Md.) registered a double-double with a game-high 15 rebounds and 11 points. Smith added 16 points, three rebounds and two assists.

The Hawks had five scorers in double digits, paced by a team-high 18 points and seven rebounds from Credle. Senior Rashaun Liggon (Elizabeth, N.J.) recorded 16 points and nine rebounds, while Durodola logged a double-double effort with 15 points and a team-high 10 rebounds. Davis chipped in 16 points, and senior Reginald Finney (Ansonia, Conn.) had 12 points and nine rebounds.

Becker edged the Blazers on the glass, 38-27, during the contest. Elms converted 38.3% (31-of-81) from the floor, only making 1-of-19 three-pointers, and 72.7% (16-of-22) from the foul line. The Hawks shot 46.7% (28-of-60) from the field, including 46.7% (7-of-15) from three-point, and 69.4% (25-of-36) from the free throw line.

Becker advances to the NECC title game to face top-seed and tournament host Southern Vermont College Saturday afternoon at 5:00 p.m. This game was the final action of the season for the Blazers.

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