Golden Eagles Lance MSMC Knights for Skyline Road Win

Newburgh, N.Y.- The Golden Eagles (10-6, 7-2 Skyline) capped off back-to-back road Skyline Conference victories after beating Maritime College (5-10, 3-5 Skyline) last week and finishing off the Mount Saint Mary Knights (4-12, 3-6 Skyline) on Sunday, 71- 68, at the Kaplan Center. 

In Sunday's matchup, St. Joseph's and Mount Saint Mary battled in a closely contested face-off that featured 11 ties with 15 lead changes.  The tilt began with the two teams exchanging blows as the game was tied at 10 apiece four minutes into play.  Forward Fernando Vazquez (Babylon, N.Y./ Babylon) hit a three-pointer that sparked an 8-3 run by the Golden Eagles that was immediately followed up by a Knight's 7-2 run that tied the game again, this time at 20.

Both teams nearly went shot-for-shot until forward Billy Heenan (Amityville, N.Y./ Amityville) hit the last shot of the period with two seconds left off an assist by guard Evan Mohammed (Bayside, N.Y./ Holy Cross), finishing the half with the Golden Eagles leading 34-32.

Forward Isaiah Moore (North Babylon, N.Y./ North Babylon) had a strong presence in the second half, scoring a second half-high 12 points, which allowed SJC to hold the lead for the most of the remainder of the game.  The Knights held two second half leads, but the visitors bounced back each time.

At 6:33 sophomore guard Andy Laurent (Amityville, N.Y./ Amityville) splashed a three-pointer that tied up St. Joseph's to the Knights at 56. After Laurent's deep bucket, the Golden Eagles were reluctant to give up their lead holding onto the victory after key shots from Moore and Laurent and free throws from Sean McCarthy (Kings Park, N.Y./ Kings Park) and Mohammed.

St. Joseph's forced the Knights to commit 19 turnovers, while only turning the ball over themselves a mere five times.

The Golden Eagles also had no trouble moving the ball around, tallying 18 assists that translated to four players scoring in double figures.

Moore led the scoring charge with a game-high 16 points while grabbing four rebounds.  Mohammed gained 10 points after scoring a three-ball and going 7-for-10 from the free throw line.  Vazquez (15) and Laurent (11) came off the bench to score a combined 26 points.

McCarthy was all over the court for the Golden Eagles, gaining six points, gathering six missed shots, dishing five assists, forcing two steals and stuffing one shot.

St. Joseph's will look to bring their winning streak home as the Golden Eagles get ready to take on Farmingdale State (4-12, 2-7 Skyline) Wednesday night at 7:00 p.m. in the Danzi Center, weather permitting.