NEW HAVEN, Conn.- Behind three double-digit performances, including a double-double from Justice Washington (Hamden, Conn.), the Albertus Magnus College men's basketball team topped the Owls of Keene State College, 84-81, Tuesday evening inside "The Nest".
Washington finished the game tallying his first career double-double behind 14 points and 10 rebounds to go along with four blocks, two steals, and an assist. Along with Washington, Tyreek Perkins (New Haven, Conn.) and Terry Dawkins (Bronx, N.Y.) also scored in double figures for the Falcons tallying 23 and 12 points, respectively.
THE BASICS
Final: Albertus Magnus 84 | Keene State 81
Records: Albertus Magnus (2-0) | Keene State (4-1)
Box Score
HOW IT HAPPENED
Albertus and Keene State came out hot as both teams traded baskets to open the first half, battling to a 5-5 tie 4:26 minutes into the first half. From there, the Falcons went on a quick 6-0 burst, running the score to 11-5, before the Owls finally retaliated with a basket to make it 11-7 at the 13:10 mark.
Shortly after, the Falcons extended their lead to seven, 17-10, following another quick burst, but the visitors countered with four unanswered points to cut the deficit to three, 17-14, with under 10 minutes left in the first.
The Falcons responded with a lightning-fast 8-0 run that included a jumper from Mekhi Warren (New Haven, Conn.), and back-to-back treys from Robby Simmons (Hartford, Conn.) and Perkins, to go up by 11, 25-14. Keene State then went on a quick 8-3 run, forcing an Albertus time-out and cutting the deficit to six, 28-22, with six minutes remaining in the first half.
Out of the break, Rob Tindley (Lawnside, N.J.) struck again, netting his second three-pointer to vault the Falcons to a nine-point advantage 31-22. The Falcons defense remained stout, denying the Owls a score until the 3:33 mark, when Jean Mason-Baptiste struck with a long three-pointer to send the Falcons' lead back to single digits, 34-25. The teams traded blows for the remainder of the stanza, with each team scoring five points, and the Falcons holding onto their lead, 39-32, heading into the halftime break.
The teams traded baskets to open the second quarter, with Dawkins and Washington each finding the net. A Keene State three-pointer cut the deficit down to four, 43-39, before Perkins nailed a jumper to bring the score to 45-39. Keene State then exploded for a 12-0 run to take the lead 51-45 with 15:46 remaining in regulation.
The Falcons stormed back with an 8-0 run to retake the lead, 53-51, with Washington contributing four points. With the clock ticking down, both teams forced two ties until a 5-0 run from the hosts extended their lead to five, 60-55, heading into the final 11 minutes.
Keene State kept within arms reach of the Falcons until a Washington layup and a pair of free throws from Simmons increased the hosts' lead to nine, 76-67. The Owls were not to be deterred, going on a 6-0 run to cut the hosts' lead to three, 76-73, with just under three minutes remaining on the clock.
A five-point run by Perkins put the Falcons up 81-76, as the senior point-guard drained a three-pointer and a jump shot. Keene State continued to challenge, sinking a lay-up to send the deficit back to three. A Falcons free throw was erased by a Keene State three-pointer in the final 10 seconds to make it a one-point game, 82-81. A pair of Perkins free throws sealed the deal for the Falcons, who held on for an 84-81 victory.
TEAM STATS
- Albertus: 43.5% FG | 47.1% 3PT | 66.7% FT
- Keene State:: 46.5% FG | 25.9% 3PT | 47.1% FT
KEY PERFORMERS
Albertus:
- Terry Dawkins - 12 points (4-8 FG, 4-6 FT) | 7 rebounds | 3 assists
- Tyreek Perkins - 23 points (8-19 FG, 3-7 3 PT, 4-5 FT) | 5 rebounds | 3 assists
- Justice Washington - 14 points (6-9 FG, 2-3 FT) | 10 rebounds | 1 assist | 2 steals | 4 blocks
Keene State:
- Jeric Cichon - 23 points (10-12 FG, 1-3 3 PT, 2-4 FT) | 7 rebounds | 3 assist | 2 steals
- Mason Jean-Baptiste - 11 points (4-9 FG, 3-7 3 PT) | 4 rebounds | 3 assists | 2 steals
- Jeff Hunter - 29 points (12-19 FG, 0-1 3 PT, 5-10 FT) | 13 rebounds | 1 assist | 1 steal | 7 blocks
NOTEWORTHY
- This is the fourth all-time meeting between the two programs.
- With their victory tonight, the Falcons evened the series record to 2-2.
- Washington recorded his first career double-double.
- Perkins tabbed his 11th career game with 20 or more points.
- Following tonight's win, Coach Mitch Oliver earned his 275th career win as head coach.
- Tonight's game saw 18 total blocks, nine from Albertus and nine from Keene State.
UP NEXT
The Falcons will continue their brief home stretch with a non-conference clash against Middlebury College on Thursday, December 2nd inside the Cosgrove Marcus Messer Athletic Center. Tip-off is set for 7 PM!
