Posted: Dec 06, 2012
AMCATS Nipped by Wildcats, 74-73
Anna Maria
(2-5, 0-2 GNAC)
73
Johnson & Wales (RI)
(3-4, 2-0 GNAC)
74
| Final | 1 | 2 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Anna Maria (2-5, 0-2 GNAC) | 39 | 34 | 73 |
|
Johnson & Wales (RI) (3-4, 2-0 GNAC) | 33 | 41 | 74 |
Providence, R.I. – The Johnson & Wales University men's basketball team posted a thrilling 74-73 victory against Anna Maria in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference contest at the Wildcat Center on Thursday evening.
Johnson & Wales junior Esaie Touze (Providence, R.I.) led the way with 14 points and nine boards. Senior Dan Barbour (Bridgeport, Conn.) added 18 points while sophomore Jordan Jones (Providence, R.I.) tallied 18 points and seven rebounds for the Wildcats.
Anna Maria was paced by senior Anthony Click (Springfield, Mass.) with 21 points and seven assists while junior Joey Barillo (Dania Beach, Fla.) added 15 points in the setback. Graduate student Brad Peterson (North Kingstown, R.I.) had a double-double with 11 points and a game-best 15 rebounds for the AMCATS.
Anna Maria took control of the game early and led 18-9 on a layup by senior Jose Pena (Lawrence, Mass.) with 12:59 left in the first half. Johnson & Wales chipped away at the lead, however and a three pointer by Jones made the score 29-26 with 4:21 left in the first half. That would be as close as JWU would get, however as Anna Maria led by as many as 10 before taking the 39-33 lead into the locker room at halftime. Anna Maria connected on 60.0% of their shots from the field and had an 18-15 rebounding advantage in the stanza.
Johnson & Wales continued to chip away at the lead and the Wildcats took their first lead of the game when a traditional three point play by Touze gave JWU the 43-42 lead with 16:20 left in the contest. A pair of free throws by freshman Quarry Greenway (Westchester, N.Y.) made the score 61-56 in favor of the Wildcats with 7:30 remaining. Anna Maria responded, however and cut the lead to 74-72 on a layup by Click with :28 remaining. After a JWU turnover, Peterson was fouled with :05 left. After hitting the first free throw, Peterson then missed second and Peterson picked up his own rebound. A last second shot would not fall, however as JWU held on for the thrilling 74-73 victory.
With the win Johnson & Wales improves to 3-4 on the season and 2-0 in the GNAC while Anna Maria falls to 2-5 for the year and 0-2 in league play. The AMCATS will return to action on Saturday, December 8th when they travel to Lasell for a Great Northeast Athletic Conference contest at 3:00 p.m.
