In a close non-conference battle, the #13 Albertus Magnus men's basketball team defeated Western Connecticut State University 110-92 on Monday night in New Haven. The win improves the Falcons' overall record to 8-1 on the year, while they have now won 46-straight home contests.
The Falcons' home court winning streak is the longest active streak in NCAA men's basketball (all levels).
For WCSU, it was the Colonials' first loss of the season after entering the contest 7-0 on the year.
Victor Ljuljdjuraj (Yorktown Heights, N.Y.) tallied his sixth double-double of the season as he registered 31 points and 15 rebounds, while adding eight blocks in the contest. Tavon Sledge (Spring Valley, N.Y.) added 25 points and nine rebounds as he shot 17-of-22 from the free-throw line. He also dished out nine assists.
The first half of the contest saw Albertus shooting 57.1% (20-of-35) from the floor but the Falcons trailed 57-56 at the halftime break. The Falcons have trailed at the half just twice this season, while tonight marked the first time the Falcons have one a contest after being behind at the break.
Western Connecticut kept the first half close and took its largest lead of the first half with 1:47 remaining on the clock as the Colonials led by three. Albertus held a 10-point lead midway through the frame but stellar outside shooting by the Colonials kept the game close. The Colonials hit seven of their 10 attempts from behind the arc.
The second half started off with some back-and-forth scoring before Albertus took control of the contest. After a Western Connecticut three pointer made the score 69-66 with 16:42 left on the clock, Albertus put together a 16-4 run to take an 85-70 lead with 9:29 to go.
The Falcons' largest lead of the contest came with 2:22 left on the clock as they went ahead by 18 points. Albertus out-rebounded the Colonials 53-46 on the night.
Lemar Larsen (Waterbury, Conn.) pulled down 12 rebounds for the Falcons to go along with 12 points, while James Jennings (Bridgeport, Conn.) added 16 points before fouling out.
Western Connecticut was led by Jeremiah Washington and Bobby Bynum, both with 16 points, while Phil Starks registered 13 off the bench.
Tonight also marked the Falcons' 28th game all-time with 100 or more points.
The Falcons finish 2014 with an impressive 8-1 record overall as well as a 3-0 record in GNAC play. They return to action in the New Year with a Jan. 6 match-up at Rivier University in Nashua, N.H. Western Connecticut will head to Western New England on Jan. 3 for a 1:00 p.m. contest.
