Men's Basketball vs Niagara CCC

Men's Basketball vs Niagara CCC

The JCC Jayhawks men's basketball team (NJCAA Div II, 21-6) traveled to face the Thunderwolves of Niagara County Community College (NJCAA Div II, 16-11).  Turnovers plagued the Jayhawks in the first half, allowing the Thunderwolves to take a 40-32 lead into the half.  The beginning of the second half seemed to show the Thunderwolves were the better team this day as the Thunderwolves jumped out to a commanding 75-58 lead with 8:16 remaining but this game was far from over.  The Jayhawks scored 13 unanswered points in the next 3 minutes to close the gap to 71-75.  The Thunderwolves put 3 more points on the board before the Jayhawks made another run scoring 11 unanswered points in the next 4 minutes to take the lead 82-78.  The teams played it close and with less than 3 second remaining the Thunderwolves scored to make the score 89-88 in favor of the Jayhawks.  The Jayhawks called a time out and decided to go for a cross court pass, with the hope of tiping the ball in the air to both start the clock and let the few reamining seconds run off.  However, Sam Joseph used too much strenght on his cross court pass and hit the ceiling of facility, causing it to be a turnover and taking no time off the clock, and allowing the Thunderwolves to inbound the ball near their own basket.  The Thunderwolves inbounded the ball and a layup attempt was quikcly fouled by the Jayhawks and layup attempt was missed.  This did allow for 2 free throws for the Saints giving them a chance to tie the game and take the lead.  The Thunderwolves missed both free throws with the Jayhawks grabbing the rebound off the miss as time expired, allowing them to down the Thunderwolves in a nail biter 89-88.  The Jayhawks were led by #21 Kyle Taylor-Mcleggan 's (Harlem) 31 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists; #24 Rakim Lesane 's (Coney Island) double double of 18 points and 10 rebounds; #22 Samuel Joseph 's (Brooklyn) 11 points, 4 steals, and 3 rebounds; #4 Michael Bush 's (Harlem) 10 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists; #32 Brandon Kemp 's (Brooklyn) 6 points and 7 rebounds; #34 Noah Whalen 's (Buffalo) 5 points and 4 rebounds; and #40 Brian Roberts ' (Cleveland) 10 rebounds.