Men's Basketball Holds On to Lead to Sink Maritime on Road

Throggs Neck, N.Y. – The St. Joseph's Golden Eagles (4-11, 3-4 Skyline) bounced back from Saturday's tough loss with a 72-64 victory against the Maritime Privateers (3-11, 1-7 Skyline) on Monday night.

Both teams got off to a slow start offensively but Darryl Charles (Middletown, N.Y./Poughkeepsie) and Eddie Wenzel (Port Jeff Station, N.Y./Newfield) carried the Eagles to a 10-7 ledger six minutes into the game. SJC led by as many as nine but Maritime kept fighting, though unable to cut the deficit under three. The Eagles led by three with 1:30 left in the first half when Charles took over once again. He scored all seven of the Eagles' points in that time span to close out the half with the Golden Eagles leading 36-28.

In the second half, SJC was able to extend the lead to double digits but just as in the first half Maritime would cut the deficit once again.  The Eagles carried an eight-point lead with 13:55 remaining but the Privateers caught fire offensively scoring on three straight possessions to make it a one-point game.  But then, Nick Gallina (Holbrook, N.Y./Sachem North) hit a driving layup and Ryan Reidy (Sayville, N.Y./Connetquot) followed it up with a three-pointer to give the Eagles some breathing room. Maritime answered right back with a three followed by another basket.  Back and forth the two teams went and at the 9:38 mark with the Privateers finally pulling even, but the Eagles went on a 6-0 run distancing themselves for the time being.

SJC appeared to have the game wrapped up with two minutes remaining and a nine-point lead when Brendon Halligan of Maritime hit two straight three-pointers but Charles came through once again with a clutch shot to put the Eagles up five with a minute left in the game. The Eagles hit their free-throws down the stretch to close out the win on the road.

Charles led the Eagles with 24 points, 12 rebounds, three blocks, and a steal. Andy Laurent (Amityville, N.Y./Amityville) finished with 14 points and Wenzel had a big game, filling the stat sheets with nine points, ten rebounds, and four assists.

The Eagles will take on Farmingdale State this Thursday in a Skyline Conference game at 8 PM.