Men's Basketball Falls Short to #19 USJ, 96-81

- WEST HARTFORD, CT: The Anna Maria men's basketball team fell this evening to the #19 ranked University of Saint Joseph's in conference action, 96-81.

 THE BASICS:

- Date: 2/18/2020

- Score: USJ 96, Anna Maria 81

- Records: USJ (22-2, 10-0 GNAC), Anna Maria (10-14, 6-4 GNAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED:

-  Neither team was able to gain control in the first few minutes of the contest. The AMCATS gained a slight upper hand starting at the 14:49 mark in the first half when they built a five-point lead. The Blue Jays only allowed their opponent that slight lead for three minutes before tying it back up at 17 all.

-  USJ would gain the lead after that and push it to a maximum of nine-points throughout the remainder of the first half. Anna Maria would keep it within range going into the locker room with just a three-point deficit of 39-42.

-  Jaecee Martin took a game high for the Blue Jays into the half with 15 first half points. He was closely followed by AMCAT senior Bobby Perette (Marshfield, MA) who had a team high 12 points.

- The second half started with the 'CATS quickly cutting the deficit to just one, but that would end up being the closest that they would get for the rest of the game.

- After the AMCATS cut the USJ lead to just one at 42-41, the Blue Jays quickly bumped their lead back up to nine and shortly after they hit a peak of 22 points.

- Anna Maria would keep on fighting as they always do to get back to being down by just 10 points, but would end up falling. 81-96.

-  Delshawn Jackson finished with a team high in the second half for USJ with 12 points. For the AMCATS senior Mike Rapoza (Charlton, MA) had a game high 13 in the half. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

-  Martin finished with a team high 19 points, 12 assists, and 8 rebounds.

-  Ryan O'Neill was just one shy of him with 18 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists.

-  Rapoza tallied the game high with 21 points, 17 rebounds, and 2 blocks.

- Perette had 15 points, 3 assists, and 2 rebounds.

- Ralph Grasso (Marlborough, MA) also finished with double digits as he tied with Perette with 15 points to go along with his 4 assists.                                                                                                                                              

UP NEXT:

- Anna Maria returns to action Saturday with their last regular season game and home game. Men's basketball's seniors will be celebrated before their game with GNAC opponent Albertus Magnus at 3:00 pm.

STAY CONNECTED:

- For the latest on Anna Maria College Athletics, follow the AMCATS via social media on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram.