SJC Clinches Skyline Tournament Bye with Win Over Farmingdale

Farmingdale, N.Y. - St. Joseph's College (16-8, 13-4 Skyline) handed the Farmingdale Rams (8-15, 6-10 Skyline) a 63-47 Skyline Conference defeat after an offensive fury in the second half, scoring 45 points that were spearheaded by forward Fernando Vazquez's (West Babylon, N.Y./ West Babylon) 23 points Tuesday night. The Golden Eagles victory puts them into sole possession of second place and locked in for a first-round bye in the Skyline Conference Tournament.  SJC will host a semifinal game on Thursday, February 26 at 7:00 p.m.

The Rams had a quick start to the contest, opening the game on a 13-6 run over the Golden Eagles, nine minutes into action. However, three minutes later the Golden Eagles found themselves in striking distance to take the lead after Brady Colucci (Port Jefferson, N.Y./ Port Jefferson) and Nick Gallina (Lake Grove, N.Y./ Sachem North) made shots, along with Sean McCarthy (Kings Point, N.Y./ Kings Point) and Darryl Charles (Middleton, N.Y./ Poughkeepsie) knocking down free throws, to tie the game at 14-14.

Farmingdale later ignited for another run, finishing the half on a 10-2 spurt to take a 24-18 lead over SJC heading into intermission.

The Golden Eagles rallied the troops at halftime, as SJC marched over the Rams in the second period going on a 33-12 scoring spree.  Vazquez was flying around the court knocking down three-pointers, scoring on lay-ups, while staying poised from the free-throw line by hitting all of his penalty tosses. 

Charles helped close out the game for the visitors as he stroked 5-of-6 free throws and made a lay-up in the final three minutes of play. With 0:38 left, Charles made the Golden Eagles last basket of the night, which lifted SJC to their highest lead of 19 points over the home team.

Vazquez's memorable night was created by near flawless shooting, scoring 7-of-9 field goals, 5-for-6 from three-point range, while going a perfect 4-for-4 from the line, all in just 25 minutes of playing time to top both teams in scoring.

Charles also displayed shooting efficiency hitting 3-of-5 shots and 7-for-10 free throws to attain 13 points while leading all St. Joseph's defenders with eight rebounds.

McCarthy and Andy Laurent (Amityville, N.Y./ Amityville) added complete games with McCarthy banking ten points and rebounding seven balls, while Laurent tallied eight assists, handled seven rebounds, and scored four points.

St. Joseph's final regular season tilt of the 2014-15 season will be on the road against the Old Westbury Panthers this Thursday evening in the Clark Athletic Center at 6:00 p.m.   The Skyline Conference Tournament will begin on Tuesday, February 24 but SJC will host a semifinal game on Thursday, February 26 due to their first-round bye.