M. Basketball Tames Farmingdale Rams, 73-68, to Extend Win Streak

Patchogue, N.Y. - The Golden Eagles (11-6, 8-2 Skyline) excited the "Eagle's Nest" as they extended their win streak to three games taking down the Skyline Conference's Farmingdale Rams (4-13, 2-8 Skyline) in a 73-68 victory in front of a rumbling Danzi Center on Wednesday night.

Isaiah Moore (North Babylon, N.Y. / North Babylon) kicked off the contest for the Golden Eagles dropping the first bucket of the game off a jump shot, with Farmingdale later following up with their own basket to notch the game at two apiece. 

The Golden Eagles and the Rams went on to exchange shots until 10:18, when the Rams broke the tie and went on a 6-0 surge over SJC.

Down 19-13, the Golden Eagles answered with a 6-0 push of their own as Moore and Evan Mohammed (Bayside, N.Y. / Holy Cross) made field goals and two successful Andy Laurent (Amityville, N.Y./ Amityville) free throws tied up the ball game.

With two minutes remaining in the first period, St. Joseph's made a push for the lead after Nick Gallina (Lake Grove, N.Y. / Sachem North) finished a three-point play and two consecutive strong drives from guard Fernando Vazquez (West Babylon, N.Y./ West Babylon).

Vazquez found forward Sean McCarthy (Kings Park, N.Y./ Kings Park) with a no-look dish for two points and then found the bottom of the basket for himself after driving to hoop with 37 seconds ticking on the clock, giving the Golden Eagles a 28-25 lead.  

The Rams had a chance to score points on the last possession of the half, but forward Billy Heenan (Amityville, N.Y./ Amityville) was able to force a bad shot after a strong defensive press.

The Golden Eagles momentum from the end of the first period bled into the second, as the SJC exploded for 17 points after the first eight minutes of play, putting them up by 10 points.

At 7:02, St. Joseph's expanded on their lead with McCarthy hitting from beyond the arc to lift St. Joseph's advantage to 13.

Farmingdale slowly chipped their way back into the tilt after going on a 14-5 spurt, which cut down the deficit to four at 3:16.

The Rams were able to hit several late deep shots and crucial free throws to cut in the Golden Eagles' lead further, only being down by two with 20 seconds left.

St. Joseph's strapped down on defense as Moore grabbed a rebound in the final eight seconds in the contest, and then scored with .8 seconds left to ice the game.

McCarthy led the flying Golden Eagles offense scoring a game-high 26 points after burying all of his eleven free throws, while adding four rebounds and four steals. Moore (11) and Vazquez (16) added to the scoring totals with each finishing in double-digit scoring statistics.

Gallina hustled all over the court for SJC scoring nine points, dishing five assists, and taking down seven boards before fouling out after contributing 37 minutes of playing time.

With a team-high nine rebounds, Laurent gave St. Joseph's the usual spark off the bench, supplying six points, two assists, one steal, and a block.

The Golden Eagles, stuck in a three-way Skyline tie for first place, will look to keep the ball rolling as they get ready for a rematch against the Purchase Panthers (4-11, 4-4 Skyline) this Saturday at 12:00 p.m. in Purchase, N.Y.