Durante, Knights rolling

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The CCRI Knights men’s basketball team hosted Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology (BFIT) Chargers Tuesday night. The game’s scoring was relatively low and the Knights would prove the more proficient scorers, winning 80-63. The impressive performances start off CCRI’s season record 14-7 overall and 10-0 in Region XXI play.

Both the Knights and the Chargers came out determined after tip-off. The teams were separated by a single point half way through the opening 20 minutes; 19-18. Sophomore co-captain Dylan Durante (Johnston) helped build a strong lead with four first half three pointers to lead all scorers through the first 20 minutes. At the break, CCRI were on top 39-26 over BFIT.

The second half had similar scoring rates to that of the first half. CCRI started well, leading 49-28 with 16:01 left on the clock. The Chargers were kept in the game by the efforts of Bryson Gulley who scored a game-high 28 points, 19 of which came in the second half. Freshman Mikey Gamble (Hartford, CT) produced 18 second half points to push the Knights forward and counter the stellar performance from Gulley. At the final buzzer, The Knights were victorious 80-63 over the Chargers.

CCRI was led by Gamble with 22 points shooting 4-8 from beyond the arc and added three rebounds, one assist and one steal. Freshman Mitchel Noresca (East Providence) tallied 15 points, 15 rebounds and two steals. Durante chipped in 12 points all from three-point range with an additional three rebounds and one steal.

The CCRI Knights men’s basketball team traveled to Worcester, MA to take on the Quinsigamond Community College Wyverns Saturday afternoon. The Knights’ offense once again shot extremely well from distance and defeated the Wyverns 98-65. The win improves CCRI’s season record to 13-7 overall and 9-0 in Region XXI play.

CCRI got off to a great start using the momentum from their Thursday game against Roxbury Community College. The Knights defensive side of the court applied fantastic pressure to stifle the Wyverns shooters. Six minutes into the game, CCRI led Quinsigamond 14-10 but then the offense awoke from its slumber. The ball movement quickened and open shots began to present themselves. CCRI made seven shots from beyond the arc and opened a 41-25 lead going into the halftime break.

CCRI didn’t slow down on either side of the ball maintaining high pressure defense and efficient offense to grow their lead further. All 11 Knights hit the scoring column with no single player scoring more than 20 points. CCRI shot an impressive 61.5 percent from long range, making 16 three-pointers. The sharing of scoring made it impossible for the Wyverns to slow the Knights offensive stride. Quinsigamond could not match the offensive output of CCRI and the Knights would be victorious 98-65.

The Knights offense was led by sophomore co-captain Elijah Lewis (Bridgeport) with 17 points as he shot 4-5 from downtown, five assists, five rebounds, three steals and one block. Noresca snagged a game leading 20 rebounds with 12 points, three assists, two steals and one block to end the week with a double-double. Noresca still leads the nation with 274 rebounds and has moved up to fourth in the nation with 13.7 rebounds per game. Durante (Johnston) tallied 13 points going 3-8 from beyond the arc while adding two assists and one steal. Gamble registered 12 points, four assists and three steals. Freshman Bereket Janat (Westerly) chipped in with a career-high 10 points and added five rebounds from the bench.

Head Coach Rick Harris commented, “The team was really clicking as a single unit these past two region games. They seem totally bought into team play and they recognize the opportunities our pressure defense creates for everyone. We are working hard now on the mental aspects of the game. Always playing hard, taking no plays off and remaining focused only on each other. Our opponent tested us but we held together and remained composed. I was most proud of that aspect of the game. The need to understand CCRI always has a target on their backs and they must respond accordingly.”

The CCRI Knights men’s basketball team will next be in action on Thursday, January 30th at 8 p.m. as they travel to New Haven, CT to take on the Gateway Community College Lions.

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