Throggs Neck, NY – It was another close game for the Privateers Monday night as they fell to the Bearcats of Baruch College by a score of 70-64 in men’s basketball action. The Privateers were once again led by junior center Robert Benton (Montgomery, Ala./G.W. Carver) (Montgomery, AL/G.W. Carver) who dropped 21 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Benton played only 12 minutes in the first half after suffering a broken nose on the first play of the game. However, he was able to return in the first donning a protective mask to prevent further injury and took control for the Privateers.  

 

Both teams came out energized in the first half and things stayed close until Benton finally came out realizing he suffered an injury. Then Baruch took over and kept the Privateers from scoring a basket for over six minutes. At the half, the Bearcats had a comfortable 17 point lead with their top three scoring eight a piece.

 

The Baruch lead quickly dwindled in the second half as the Privateers began to fight back going on a 10-2 run that brought the game to with in seven points. The lead was kept under double digits for most of the second half, and the Privateers had a couple of chances to tie things up bust just couldn’t get the big basket. Senior guard Gary Browne (Blauvelt, N.Y./Tappan Zee) (Blauvelt, NY/Tappan Zee) shot only 1-of-7 from downtown and missed four in the second half.  Junior guards Louie Karis (Brooklyn, NY/Xaverian) and Robi Davidson (Beverly Hills, CA/Beverly Hills) combined for Baruch’s only four three pointers of the game all coming in the first half. Davidson was among the teams high scorers with 14.

 

Sophomore center Cheick Fadika (Abidjan, Ivory Coast/Petit College) controlled the post for a majority of the game, especially during Benton’s absence, scoring a team high of 18 points and had eight rebounds along with four blocked shots. Junior forward Anwar Baptise (Bronx, NY/St. Raymond’s) a transfer from John Jay, added 13 points and seven rebounds in only 16 minutes of play. Baruch picked up its tenth win of the year and are not at 10-4 overall while the privateers drop to 1-9 after picking up their first victory of the year on Saturday against Centenary College.

 

Senior guard Marc Lashley (Queens, N.Y./Holy Cross) (Queens, NY/Holy Cross) made his first start of the season in place of Zishaan Raymond (Jenkintown, Pa./Jekintown) who was not dressed for tonight’s game. Lashley scored 10 points and had five assists along with four steals in 37 minutes. Senior forward Jonathan Holler (N. Tonawanda, N.Y./Cardinal O'Hara) (N. Tonawanda, NY/Cardinal O’Hara) added 13 points and a team high 11 rebounds for the Privateers.

 

Maritime entered into tonight’s game with only eight players dressed to play with junior forward Zishaan Raymond (Jenkintown, Pa./Jekintown) and sophomore guard Frantz Dunell (Bay Shore, N.Y./Bay Shore) sidelined with injuries sustained at Centenary on Saturday. Also not with the team is freshman Nikero Barbes (Freeport, Bahamas/Freeport Angelican) who is currently back home in the Bahamas for winter break. Coach Spina hopes to have both Raymond and Dunell back in the lineup on Saturday for a key conference game against the currently winless Golden Eagles of Saint Joseph’s.

 

Before the Privateers travel to Patchogue on Saturday, they will have a double header at home against Briarcliffe College on Thursday January 13^th with the women tipping off at 6pm and the men at 8pm.

 

-MARITIME-