The St. Thomas Aquinas College men's basketball team held off the University of the District of Columbia for a 76-71 East Coast Conference victory at Aquinas Hall. Justin Reyes had 18 points, including the game-winning three-point play as the Spartans won their sixth straight game to improve to 12-4 overall and 6-2 in ECC action, as UDC dropped to 7-8, 5-2 with the loss.
Playing their fourth game in eight nights, the Spartans showed no ill effects early, jumping to a 10-2 lead after a Shaq McFarlane hoop just over four minutes into play. That lead would reach as much as ten at 26-16, but the Firebirds' zone frustrated STAC as the visitors ran off a 16-5 burst to take a 32-31 lead with under four minutes to play in the first half. STAC would score the final four points of the session to take a 37-34 lead into the break.
Much as they did in the first 20 minutes, the Spartans held the lead for much of the second half, but Joseph Nickerson's dunk capped a 14-3 run with 7:41 left, putting UDC in a 58-57 edge. The lead would change hands six times over the following five minutes and the score was deadlocked at 67-67 after a Chaz Watler jumper with 2:51 left.
UDC's Erin Senegal hit a three to put his team up, but James Mitchell answered quickly for the Spartans, knotting the game at 70-70 with 2:09 left in regulation. After a Nickerson miss, Reyes, hit a spectacular floater in traffic in the lane and was fouled in the act, completing the three-point play with 1:17 on the clock.
Kasim Chandler, who was a force for the Firebirds throughout the evening, hit one of two free throws to cut the margin to two with 1:00 left, but drew his fourth foul moments later, sending Jonathan Lawton to the line with 34 seconds left. Lawton missed both free throws, however, giving UDC another life in a 73-71 contest.
With time winding down, Chandler attacked the basket, but McFarlan stepped in to draw the charge with 32 seconds left, fouling the opposing point guard out of the game in the process. UDC would apply pressure on the inbound and eventually force a turnover near mid-court, but Martin Campbell would miss a wide open three from the left side, and Lawton grabbed the rebound, drawing a foul with 9.8 left.
Having a quick chance for redemption, the freshman would drain both free throws, opening a four point lead and putting the game out of reach, with McFarlan adding another in the final seconds for good measure.
Reyes had 10 rebounds to go with his 18 points, while Watler and Aaron Cust added 13 each. McFarlan was also a key contributer with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Chandler was the standout for UDC, netting 20 points before fouling out. STAC shot an impressive 53% from the floor (30-of-57) and outrebounded the Firebirds by a 39-29 margin.
The Spartans will enjoy a few days off before returning to action for an ECC showdown with the University of Bridgeport on Wednesday, January 20. The first meeting of the season between these squads - and a rematch of the last two ECC Tournament Finals - will tip off at approximately 8:00 pm, as the back end of a double-header featuring the women's teams.
Catch all the action on streaming video at stac.vazzt.com, or on the air on WFAS, 1230 AM.
- Steve Balsan, St. Thomas Aquinas Sports Information
- Photo by Dorice Arden