Second Half Charge Pushes No. 1 USJ Past Men’s Basketball, 92-70

THE BASICS 

Score: 
No. 1 Saint Joseph (Conn.) 92 – Emmanuel 70

Records: 
Emmanuel College Saints (15-7, 11-3 GNAC)
No. 1 University of Saint Joseph Blue Jays (23-0, 16-0 GNAC)

Location: Boston, Mass. – Jean Yawkey Center / Andy Yosinoff Court

Date: Wednesday, February 8, 2023

THE LEAD – Leading by one possession early in the second half, the University of Saint Joseph Blue Jays showed what makes them No. 1 team in the country, using a 25-8 run through the middle of the second half to keep their unbeaten season alive, as USJ defeated the Emmanuel Saints 92-70 on Wednesday night in Great Northeast Athletic Conference play.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Despite the Blue Jays leading for the opening 11:30 of the first half, USJ couldn't grab hold of the momentum to sustain anything more than a two-possession lead. After keeping within range, the Saints would tie things at 23-23 with 8:30 remaining in the first, thanks to a three-point field goal by junior Ryan Grijalva (Stratham, N.H.).
• After the tying three-pointer, the Blue Jays took their first substantial lead of the night, going on an 18-5 run over the next 6:23, to lead 41-28. Senior Jaecee Martin (Hartford, Conn.) had six points in the run while graduate Ryan O'Neill (Litchfield, Conn.) added five. Three-pointers helped EC drive down the deficit to eight in the final minutes, as Emmanuel trailed 44-36 at the half.
• Emmanuel kept the momentum from their late-first-half run, opening the second half on a 7-1 spurt, once again cutting the deficit down to one possession. That one-score deficit was short-lived as USJ showed why they have the No. 1 ranking in Division III, using a 25-8 stretch over the span of 8:48 to go from a one-possession lead, to a 20-point advantage at 76-56.
• O'Neill was the catalyst of the Blue Jays run, scoring the first eight points of the charge, including a four-point play after a deep three-pointer from straight away. Senior Chaylyn Martin (Hartford, Conn.) added five points for USJ in the game-deciding run.
• Emmanuel could only close to within 17 points, as with each opportunity that EC had at coming back, the Blue Jays would quell the Saints momentum with made baskets of their own. The Blue Jays led by as many as 24 late in the second, on their way to staying unbeaten in the 92-70 win.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• O'Neill led all scorers with 24 points, shooting 7-of-14 from the field and 7-of-9 at the foul line, in 28 minutes.
• Graduate Jake Sullivan (Branford, Conn.) scored 13 points, including 2-for-3 from beyond the arc.
• Jaecee Martin added a dozen while senior Delshawn Jackson Jr. (Hartford, Conn.) finished with 10 points.
• Juniors Bryant Ciccio (Attleboro, Mass.) and Donte Pope (Middletown, Conn.) finished with 14 points each. Ciccio shot 4-of-5 from three-point distance while Pope chipped in with two steals.
• Senior Ted Weber (Orange, Conn.) added 11 points and five rebounds on a perfect 5-for-5 shooting from the field.

UP NEXT

• The Saints celebrate their Senior Day in their next appearance, a Saturday, Feb. 11 game against Saint Joseph's of Maine at 1:00 p.m.
• The Blue Jays also host their Senior Day on Saturday, Feb. 11, welcoming Dean for a GNAC game at 3:00 p.m.