CCRI rolls past SMCC, 82-62

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The CCRI Knights men’s basketball team headed to South Portland, Maine to take on the Seawolves of Southern Maine Community College for their first game of the new year on Saturday afternoon. The Knights started 2020 well playing with the same intensity shown in 2019 and defeated the Seawolves 82-64. The win improves CCRI’s season record to 10-4 overall.

The trip to Portland has given CCRI some struggles in years past and would prove a good test to start 2020. The Knights certainly rose to the occasion and played with a high intensity that Southern Maine struggled to match. At times the intensity was a little too much and CCRI started forcing the ball resulting in several unforced turnovers. CCRI led at half time 43-25.

The offense, when controlled, played with fantastic balance. Six Knights hit double digit scoring as the ball was moved around the court with purpose. Southern Maine never fell exceedingly far behind but never really threatened either and in the end CCRI were victorious 82-62.

The Knights offense was led by sophomore co-captain Elijah Lewis (Bridgeport, CT) with 18 points, six assists, five rebounds and three steals. Freshman Mitchel Noresca (East Providence) had another monstrous game in the paint with a game leading 16 rebounds and added 15 points, one assists and one steal. Noresca has risen to third in the nation with 173 total rebounds on the season. Sophomore co-captain Jeremy Remigio (Providence) tallied 11 points, nine assists, eight rebounds and three steals. Freshman Reece Bullock (Coventry) registered 11 points, six rebounds and one steal. Sophomore co-captain Dylan Durante (Johnston) recorded 10 points, three rebounds and one assist. Freshman Steve DelSesto (North Providence) chipped in 10 points, three rebounds, three assists and one steal from the bench.

Head Coach Rick Harris commented, “Surprisingly easy day against a traditionally tough Seawolves team. With both teams coming back from holiday break we were able to pick up where we left off prior to Christmas. Too many turnovers today for my liking, but we were very active defensively and moved the ball well on offense. Mitchell Noresca and Elijah Lewis were real forces on the court today setting the tone for a game in which all worked very hard and thus a final result we were able to enjoy on the long ride home.”

The CCRI Knights men’s basketball will next be in action on Saturday, January 11th at 7 p.m. as they host the Westchester Community College Vikings for day one of the 2020 CCRI Invitational. Lady Knights fall to Seawolves The CCRI Lady Knights basketball team tipped-off their second semester schedule with a road trip to play the No. 4 ranked (USCAA DII Poll) Seawolves of Southern Maine Community College in Portland, ME on Saturday afternoon.  The Lady Knights lost to the Seawolves 82-49. With the loss CCRI falls to 4-11 for the season.

The Lady Knights started the second semester just as the first semester ended by playing another nationally ranked team. This time they were on the road versus the very talented Seawolves of Southern Maine. The Seawolves shot out of the gate quickly to take a 25-8 lead by the end of the first quarter paced by eight points from Ashleigh Mathisen including two three-pointers and six from Grace Fontaine on two three-pointers. The one shining light from the Lady Knights was freshman Ireauna Pegus who (Middletown) scored five points including a 3-pointer.

In the second quarter the Lady Knights offense was still stifled by the defense of Southern Maine but they did get four points apiece from Jada Burton-Hall (Providence) and Co-Captain Jazlynn Jimenez (Providence). However, the Seawolves answered with 13 points from Tara Flanders to take a 51-18 lead into the halftime break.

In the third quarter the Lady Knights’ offense had their highest output scoring 17 points led by 13 points for Burton-Hall. The Seawolves answered with a balanced attack with six players combining for 20 points to increase the Seawolves’ lead to 36 points with the score 71-35. CCRI did outscore the Seawolves in the final quarter 14 to 11 as Southern Maine went on to win the game 82-49.

Leading the way for the Lady Knights was Burton-Hall with a game-high 25 points, seven rebounds, two assist and five steals. Also having a very good game was co-captain Jimenez with 12 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals. Ireauna Pegus added seven points, six rebounds, and a steal.

The next games for the Lady Knights will be this weekend as they host the CCRI Invitational at the Cullen Fieldhouse in Warwick. On Saturday they will face the No. 1 ranked (NJCAA DIII Poll) Lions of Nassau Community College (13-0) from Garden City, NY at 5 p.m. and Sunday they will face the Division I Mustangs of Monroe College at 4 p.m.

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