Medgar Evers Spoils M. Basketball Home Opener in Tight Game

Patchogue, N.Y. – In their first meeting since 2006, Medgar Evers (1-1) spoiled the home opener in a tight, 79-77, loss for the St. Joseph's (1-2) men's basketball team, despite a team-high 29 points from senior guard Evan Mohammed (Bayside, N.Y. / Holy Cross). Starting Golden Eagle point guard Nick Gallina (Holbrook, N.Y. / Sachem North) added high-intensity on the offensive and defensive side of the ball tallying team-highs with seven assists, eight rebounds, and three steals.

Mohammed had an explosive start to the first half, scoring 15 points in the first nine minutes of play boosting the Eagles to a 23-13 lead over the Cougars. Despite strong play from the Golden Eagles, Medgar Evers would fight their way back into contention by scoring late to tie the game at the end of the first half 43-43.

Thirty-seven seconds into the second half, Mohammed added to his scoring fury making a deep jump shot for the first points of the period.  The Cougars would rally behind strong three-point shooting to take 68-61 lead over the Eagles.

SJC would battle back behind a Mohammed's layup followed by forward Billy Heenan's (Amityville, N.Y. / Amityville) made three-pointer, layup, and free throw in sequence to pull the score to 76-72. 

With just two minutes remaining, Mohammed would step back and launch a three to pull the Eagles to a one-point deficit.  Forward Sean McCarthy (Kings Park, N.Y. / Kings Park) would hit a jump shot to lift SJC to the first lead since the beginning of the half; however, the Golden Eagles' persistence wasn't enough to take home the victory as the Cougars would hit late free throws to seal the game.

On the night, SJC out tallied the Cougars in assists, 13-10, and in steals, 10-4. In addition to Mohammed's 29-point extravaganza, Heenan had an excellent night shooting, hitting 6-8 field goals, 2-2 from three-point range, and 2-2 from the free throw line. As a whole, the Golden Eagles shot an impressive 47.6% from the field and 36.8% from behind the arc. 

The Golden Eagles will find themselves on the road for their next contest as the team travels to take on the City College of New York Beavers (1-1) in a non-conference matchup this Friday at 7:00 p.m.