NEW HAVEN, Conn. - Behind four different double-digit scorers, including a 16-point, 13-rebound double-double from senior Terry Dawkins (Bronx, N.Y.), the Albertus Magnus College men's basketball team cruised to a convincing 89-57 victory over the Bulldogs of Dean College on Wednesday night inside "The Nest" in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) action.
In addition to Dawkins, Mekhi Warren (New Haven, Conn.) put in 14 points, Isaiah Lewis (New Haven, Conn.) added 19 points, and Davon Warner (New Haven, Conn.) chipped in with 15 tallies. Newcomer Saikwon Williams (Norwalk, Conn.) also added 11 rebounds, to go along with two points.
THE BASICS
Final: Albertus Magnus 89 | Dean 57
Records: Albertus Magnus (9-4, 7-1 GNAC) | Dean (5-10, 0-8)
Box Score
HOW IT HAPPENED
It was an offensive battle between the Falcons and Bulldogs over the first seven minutes of play as both teams battled through two ties, until a burst from the hosts, capped by a three from Warner, gave them a four-point edge, 16-12, at the 12:55 mark.
Despite the Bulldogs pulling to within two, 16-14, Albertus continued to run its offense as a three-point play from Dawkins ignited a 5-2 run that increased the lead to seven, 21-14, forcing Dean to call a timeout with 9:56 on the clock.
Out of the break, Albertus and Dean traded baskets until a three from Rob Tindley (Lawnside, N.J.) and a pair of made free throws from Williams gave the Falcons their first double-digit lead of the half, 29-18. Dean kept within arms reach of the Falcons by cutting the deficit to within single digits twice over the next four minutes, but the hosts resumed control offensively and finished the stanza on a 7-0 run to close out the half with the 16-point advantage, 45-29.
Albertus carried its offensive stride into the second half, opening the frame with an 11-7 run, behind four different scorers that included four points from Dawkins, to give the hosts the 20-point edge, 56-36. Dean continued to chip away at the Falcons' lead and found themselves within 18 on three separate occasions. However, Warren retaliated with three straight layups to push Albertus' lead to 24, 66-42, and force a Bulldogs' timeout with 8:56 left to play.
The short break didn't deter the Falcons as a three from Lewis and three straight three's from Warner gave the hosts the drive needed to maintain its 30-point lead. The Falcons kept the pressure on the Bulldogs with the end of regulation in sight and secured the 89-57 victory.
TEAM STATS
- Albertus: 40.3% FG | 35.3% 3PT | 88.2% FT
- Dean: 36.1% FG | 27.3% 3PT | 25.0% FT
KEY PERFORMERS
Albertus:
- Isaiah Lewis - 19 points (6-15 FG, 5-12 3PT, 2-2 FT) | 2 rebounds | 1 assist | 1 steals | block
- Terry Dawkins - 16 points (5-8 FG, 6-7 FT) | 13 rebounds | 1 assists
- Davon Warner - 15 points (5-18 FG, 5-17 3PT) | 1 rebound | 1 steal | 1 block
- Mekhi Warren - 14 points (7-11 FG) | 7 rebounds | 3 blocks
Dean:
- Mark Blair - 17 points (8-17 FG, 1-2 FT) | 12 rebounds| 3 assists | 4 steals
NOTEWORTHY
- This is the first meeting between Albertus and Dean.
- Albertus is now 1-0 all-time against the Bulldogs.
- Warren tied his season-high in blocks with three.
- Dawkins tabbed his fourth double-double of the season this evening.
- Lewis' 19-point performance was a season-high for the senior guard.
- Dawkins has led the Falcons in rebounding in the last five games.
- Tindley set a new season-high in assists with eight.
- Williams' 11-rebound performance was a season-best.
UP NEXT
The men's basketball team will return to action on Tuesday, Feb. 1 with a home conference tilt against Lasell University. Tip-off is set for 7:30 PM inside "The Nest".
Fans, due to the impending forecast for this weekend, the men's basketball game scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 29 against Johnson & Wales University has been postponed. No make-up date or time has been determined.
