Bobcats Finish Season with First Ever USCAA National Championship Win
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| 3/14/2023 1:10 PM | Kevin Turi, Sports Information Coordinator
Richmond, VA-
The Bryant & Stratton College- Syracuse Men's Basketball team ended the 2022-23 season with the program's first ever victory at the USCAA National Championship tournament. The Bobcats defeated the #6-seed, Mississippi University for Women in a consolation game, 84-58. With the victory, the Bobcats finish their season with a program record for wins and an overall record of 19-8.
How it Happened:
Following a tough loss in the first round of the USCAA National Championship, the Bobcats returned to court for their final game of the season against the Mississippi University for Women Men's Basketball team.
Despite an early morning tip-off, the Bobcats started fast thanks to an opening 3-pointer from Anton Berga and an easy lay-up from Moses Hughes. The Bobcats fed off the early energy and the entire starting five swarmed on the defensive end to hold the Owls of Mississippi University for Women to just 39% shooting from the floor.
Protecting the rim all game long were forwards Jameel Abdallah and Josue Oreste. The pair of forwards contributed on both ends of the floor and would contribute 21 points and 17 rebounds combined. Controlling the offensive attack for the Bobcats was guard Darren Joyner who chipped in 8 points and 3 rebounds.
At the halftime break, the Bobcats opened up a convincing 18-point lead over the Owls, 47-29. The Bobcats shot an incredible 51.4% (19-37) from the floor and 50% (4-8) from 3-point range.
In the second half of the game, the Bobcats were relentless on both ends of the court and never let the lead fall below 10 points. Big contributions off the bench from Antonio Scott, Vincent Frenza, and Tayron Bangs paced the Bobcats offensive attack. Scott led all Bobcats scorers with 14 points while Frenza added 10 points and Bangs scored 9.
The exclamation point for the Bobcats first ever victory at the USCAA National Championship tournament came with just over 2 minutes to play when Ravon Burnett sent his defender to the ground with a vicious step-back dribble igniting celebrations from the Bobcats bench.
The Bobcats would cruise to victory over the Mississippi University for Women, 84-58.
"While this is not the end result that we were hoping for traveling down here, I am very proud of our group for all that we have accomplished this season," said Head Coach Clay Gagen-Sherman following the win.
"Our program is making strides in the right direction and I am very thankful for all of the hard work this team has put in over the course of a long season. I would like to give a special thanks to our Senior forward, Josue Oreste for all that he has done to help build this program. We will certainly miss his presence next season when we look to build on this momentum."
The victory for the Bobcats concludes the 2022-23 USCAA Men's Basketball season. The Bobcats finish the season with a program-record in wins at 19-8 and the first victory in program history at the USCAA National Championship tournament.