MEN’S BASKETBALL FALLS TO ALBERTUS MAGNUS IN SEASON FINALE

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Emmanuel College wrapped up the 2013-14 campaign with a 95-78 loss at Albertus Magnus College in the final Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) men's basketball game of the regular season.  With the loss on Saturday afternoon at the Cosgrove Marcus Messer Athletic Center, the Saints finish the year at 6-19 overall and 4-14 in GNAC action.  Albertus Magnus improves to 23-2 on the season and 17-1 in league play with the win and will host a GNAC Quarterfinal contest on Tuesday night.

The Saints needed a victory today over the top-seeded Falcons to secure the eighth and final play-off spot in the upcoming conference tournament.  However, despite a solid effort in the second half, the Saints could not pull off the upset.  In other GNAC action, Norwich University defeated Suffolk University, 75-70, to clinch that coveted eighth tournament slot.

It was a incredible day for AMC senior Darius Watson (New Britain, Conn.), who was recognized pre-game as the lone senior on the Falcons' squad.  Watson poured in a career-high 36 points, including the 2,000th of his collegiate career.

The contest started fast-paced, as both teams showcased their athleticism. Watson knocked down a jumper in the first possession and the game was stopped as he was celebrated in scoring his milestone basket. In the first minutes of action, Tieron Jackson (West Haven, Conn.) dished a no look pass to Lemar Larsen (Waterbury, Conn.) who looked to slam it home but was defended by the back rim. Larsen got his revenge on the very next play as Jackson floated it up for Larsen who threw it down with a vengeance.

After gaining a 12-point lead with 10:24 left to go in the half, Emmanuel guard Kyle Smith (Los Angeles, Calif.) looked to take matters into his own hands, knocking down two consecutive three-pointers to bring the game to 24-18.

Victor Ljuljdjuraj (Yorktown Heights, N.Y.) got involved late in the half, as the Falcons busted open a 15-point lead with just 2:00 left to play in the half. Ljuljdjuraj seemed to contest every shot thrown up by the Saints and rejected four shots.  Jackson finding the open man seemed like a common theme throughout the first stanza, recording nine assists in the first half. The Falcons totaled 10 assists as a team.

Watson was on fire in the first half, going 7-7 from the floor, including hitting all three of his shots from long range. The senior led all scorers at the break with 20 points.

John Clay (Westport, Mass.) and Smith combined for 22 first-half points and Emmanuel's bench contributed 15 points, as the Saints entered the break trailing, 48-34.

Emmanuel came out strong in the second half opening the frame with a 7-0 run.  Clay powered the Saints with five of those seven points.

Watson started right where he left off in the first half, scoring in high volumes. Instead of shooting from the perimeter, Watson took his defenders to the basket and made the Saints pay from the free-throw line. For the game, Watson went 11 for 14 from the stripe.

Junior center Marcus Walker (Newark, N.J.) had a huge game off the bench after Ljuljdjuraj was banged up and in foul trouble. Walker scored nine total points and snatched six rebounds. Two of these rebounds being big offensive put backs for the Falcons.

Emmanuel continued to chip away at the lead, as the Saints free throw shooting kept them in the game. With 10:12 remaining, Smith hit a huge three-pointer to bring the game to one point at 63-62. This was the closest margin for the Saints, since trailing 4-2 in the opening moments.

Watson and the Falcons regrouped and kept their composure. Adjustments were made to Emmanuel's 1-2-2 half court trap and the Falcons went on a crucial 10-0 run followed by a 6-1 run. AMC took an 89-73 lead with a little under four minutes to play and put the Saints in their rear view.

The Falcons shot 82.1% for the game from the free throw line making 32 of 39 shots. The Saints shot 86.7% for the game from the line making 26 of 30. Although the Saints had the edge in free throw shooting, the Falcons had the edge on the scoreboard as the final score was 95-78.

Watson had himself a day that was very fitting for the occasion. On his final regular season home game as an Albertus Magnus Falcon, Watson scored a career-high 36 points. He was 11 for 14 from the floor and three for four from beyond the arc. Watson added five rebounds and an assist to his total.  Jackson also got into the career-high action as he recorded 13 total assists for the game. He added two rebounds and 13 points to complete a double-double for the game.

Smith posted a career-high day for the Saints with his 29 points in 29 minutes of action. The freshman guard knocked down 8 of his 16 shots from the floor and went 5 for 8 from downtown.  He hit all eight of his tries from the line, grabbed four rebounds and also dished out an assist in a solid effort off the bench for the visitors.

Clay finished with a double-double of 13 points and 11 boards.  Freshman guard Tyler Russ (Stratham, N.H.) chipped in with his season-high 11 points, going 7-8 from the stripe.  Senior guard Brandon Jones (Windsor, Conn.) and Josh Welles (Philadelphia, Pa.) contributed 11 and 10 points, respectively, in their career finale.

Release courtesy of Albertus Magnus College Sports Information