NY MEN'S BASKETBALL DEFEATS VERMONT TECH

In a rematch of the semifinals of the United States Collegiate Athletic Association National Tournament, the Berkeley Knights defeated the Vermont Tech Knights 83-68 in Manhattan Tuesday night.

The Knights jumped out to an early 20-12 lead sparked by a couple of three pointers by junior guards Mario Guzman (West Oaks Academy/New York, NY) and Alex Loniakan (Frolunda/New York, NY), which capped a 12-3 run. Vermont Tech would cut the lead to five with 11 minutes to play in the first, but Berkeley would answer back with a 9-3 run, powered by two more three pointers from Loniakan. The Knights led 49-38 at the half maintaining their lead from the beginning.

The second half would prove to be more of the same for Berkeley as they went up by as many as 17 points in the first four minutes of play. A three pointer by junior guard Jovan Bovell (Jamaica/Jamaica, NY) and back-to-back lay-ups by senior forward Jose Stable (EBC for Public Service/Brooklyn, NY) put the Knights up 63-46 with 15 and change to play. Vermont would fight back behind Alex Tyrrell’s 22 points. However, Berkeley maintained their double-digit lead throughout the second half and won by a final score of 83-68.

Berkeley was led by junior center Elijah Craig’s (Seward Park/Brooklyn, NY) double-double with 18 points and 14 rebounds to go along with his six blocked shots. Bovell added 17 while senior guard Kaseem Williams (Boys and Girls/Brooklyn, NY) chipped in with 16 and Loniakan went 4 for 7 from three point range for 12 points.

The Knights return to action Sunday against RPI at 4 P.M.